One of the major obstacles on the NHL's road back to Quebec City was removed on Thursday with the announcement of a funding agreement for a new NHL-style arena.Quebec City Mayor Mayor Regis Labeaume and Quebec Premier Jean Charest told a crowded news conference that the project will go ahead with a 50-50 funding arrangement between the province and city, up to a maximum of $400 million.
Charest said the Canadian government and the private sector would be welcomed investors but their absence from the funding agreement does not mean the project will not proceed.
The provincial capital played host to the Quebec Nordiques from 1972-1995 when the team relocated to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche.
The NHL has no immediate plans to expand but there are a number of franchises in trouble, including the league-owner Phoenix Coyotes and the Atlanta Thrashers.
Winnipeg is seen as a destination point should the sale of the Coyotes falls through, and Quebec City is seen as a prime location if the Thrashers fail to resolve their fiscal issues and have to move.
At the All-Star Game last weekend, NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman repeated his position that a new building alone does not guarantee a franchise, although failure to get a new rink guarantees the NHL won't be back.
"We tell people who are building buildings, don't build it with the expectation you're going to have a team because we're not going to make you that promise," Bettman told The Canadian Press late last month.
Also noticeably absent from the news conference in Quebec City was representation from Quebecor, Inc., the media empire that has been talking about bringing NHL hockey back to Quebec City.
Official Claims White House Wasn't Involved In IRS Scandal
Michael Hastings Dies In Car Crash At Age 33
House Passes Major Anti-Abortion Bill
4 U.S. Soldiers Killed In Attack On Afghanistan Air Base
REPORTS: Patriots TE Questioned By Police In Murder Probe
Huge Savings Predicted From Immigration Bill
Google Is Using The First Amendment To Push Back Against The NSA
'I Know Four People Who Have Been Shot'
Serena Makes Inflammatory Remarks About Steubenville Victim
Fineman: Bachmann's 'Got A Point' On Syria
U.S. To Start Talks With Taliban
WATCH: 'Daily Show' Skewers Evangelical's Claim That Gays Bully Christians
BREAKING: Tornado Touches Down Near Denver Airport
Dem Rep: 'However Inarticulate, I Think Miss Utah Was On To Something'
Congressman To Challenge IRS In Court
U.S. Companies Lobbying Furiously To Save Tax Loopholes
Same-Sex Couples Face Significant Housing Discrimination, Historic Government Study Says
LOOK: Iran's New President Makes Important Statement In New Tweet
Walmart PAC's Political Spending Revealed
Mika Admits 'Hypocrisy' Over NSA Scandals
Hadiya Pendleton's Parents Discuss Addressing Chicago Gun Violence
PHOTO: Brazilian Officer Pepper-Sprays Female Protester In The Face
The Next City To Legalize Weed?
Bobby Jindal Has Had It With All The Self-Reflection That He Demanded
Cameron: WWII Bomb Found At G8 Summit
Senate: Don't Build The Danged Fence
Anti-War Bomber Says Obama Should Be Tried For War Crimes
Funds Pour In For Hacker Who Helped Expose Steubenville Rapists
GOP Congressman: I Oppose Abortion Because Male Fetuses Masturbate
'We Can Just F*cking Ignore Her'
