NHL Talking About A Return To Quebec City
Bettman Meets With Mayor and Former Nordiques Owner
Oct 16, 2009
Marcel Aubut owned the Quebec Nordiques, which, played in the city from 1979-1995. They were sold, and moved to Denver Colorado, becoming the Avalanche. Aubut, and Quebec City Mayor Regis Lebaume spoke with Bettman on October 10th to begin discussions about a possible return.
Lebaume Announces Plans for New $400 Million Arena
On October 16th, Quebec City Mayor Regis Lebaume announced plans for a $400 million arena. The Nordiques former home the Colisée has been cited as the main reason the city was unable to keep an NHL team. Because of its lack of luxury suites, and many other modern amenities it fails to match up to other locations in the League.
Lebaume announced he has hired consultants at SNC Lavalin to study the feasibility of a brand new arena. In remarks published by CTV.CA he expressed his desire to give his citizens a modern arena “The time has come to offer our population a modern arena.”
If built, the arena will have a capacity of 18000, and be able to host concerts as well as function as a hockey arena. Lebaume is going to ask the Province of Quebec, and the federal government to contribute $175 million each. His own government will contribute $50 million. Lebaume is in the middle of a municipal election campaign and has pledged that despite the promise of the arena, taxes will not increase.
Quebec City Taking Second Shot At Olympic Bid?
Plans for the state-of-the art arena will go ahead whether or not Quebec City gets an NHL team. Lebaume wants to give his city a second shot at hosting an Olympics in either 2022, or 2026 with the proposed arena as a showpiece. The city lost out to Vancouver to bid for the 2010 games.
There’s no guarantee the city will get an NHL team. League Commissioner Gary Bettman says only that the city will be on a short list, if one becomes available. Other Canadian cities bidding for a team include Winnipeg, who lost the Jets to Phoenix.
The Jets became the Coyotes, and have fallen on hard financial times. Lately, the team has been the subject of a controversial bid by Jim Ballsillie to buy the team and move them to Hamilton Ontario. There’s also a second effort to bring a team to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) by a group in Vaughn Ontario.
The Nordiques are best remembered for draft picks. They chose retired Leafs Capitan Mats Sundin, as well Avalanche Forward Joe Sakic. The Nordiques made Eric Lindros their most infamous draft pick in 1991. Lindros refused to play in Quebec City, and was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for two draft picks, and $15 million.
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