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troutman · 06-01-2011, 11:51 AM

NHL’s return to Winnipeg bittersweet for Quebec City

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/ret...544/story.html

[Mayor] Labeaume lamented how Quebec City is quibbling over the construction of a new arena in the hope of luring a team back.

“I’m angry and very, very bitter,” Labeaume said Tuesday. “We should be in a blitz with the NHL to make sure we’re next on the list (after Winnipeg) but instead, we are here fighting a minority,” Labeaume said.

The mayor is facing opposition to a deal between media giant Quebecor and the city to build a $400-million NHL-calibre arena. The agreement would give Quebecor naming rights to the city’’ proposed arena scheduled to be completed in 2015, which could serve as the future home of an NHL team.

However, opponents to the deal, which includes a former Quebec City general manager, intend to challenge the agreement in court, saying it benefits Quebecor and would result in higher city taxes.

Meanwhile, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman cautioned against fans in other Canadian markets from getting excited about other possible moves.

“I get extremely unhappy and cranky with raising expectation when they shouldn’t be raised,” the commissioner said in Winnipeg.

He said the NHL “will continue to resist moving franchises” and re-affirmed the league’s commitment to its 29 other markets.

06-01-2011, 11:51 AM	#4
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	NHL’s return to Winnipeg bittersweet for Quebec City http://www.vancouversun.com/news/ret...544/story.html [Mayor] Labeaume lamented how Quebec City is quibbling over the construction of a new arena in the hope of luring a team back. “I’m angry and very, very bitter,” Labeaume said Tuesday. “We should be in a blitz with the NHL to make sure we’re next on the list (after Winnipeg) but instead, we are here fighting a minority,” Labeaume said. The mayor is facing opposition to a deal between media giant Quebecor and the city to build a $400-million NHL-calibre arena. The agreement would give Quebecor naming rights to the city’’ proposed arena scheduled to be completed in 2015, which could serve as the future home of an NHL team. However, opponents to the deal, which includes a former Quebec City general manager, intend to challenge the agreement in court, saying it benefits Quebecor and would result in higher city taxes. Meanwhile, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman cautioned against fans in other Canadian markets from getting excited about other possible moves. “I get extremely unhappy and cranky with raising expectation when they shouldn’t be raised,” the commissioner said in Winnipeg. He said the NHL “will continue to resist moving franchises” and re-affirmed the league’s commitment to its 29 other markets.