Post by swervinmervin on Sept 7, 2011 7:13:20 GMT -6
www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Quebecor+arena+pact+okayed/5361984/story.html
Quebecor's NHL arena pact okayed
BY KEVIN DOUGHERTY, GAZETTE QUEBEC BUREAU SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
With the only three independent members on council dissenting, Quebec City's municipal council approved a six-part agreement Tuesday between the city and Quebecor Media Inc., handing the Montreal media conglomerate the keys to a proposed new National Hockey League arena.
The aim of the 25-year deal, renewable for an additional 15 years, is to draw an NHL team to replace the Nordiques, who last played in the city in 1995. But opposition councillors noted there is no guarantee the NHL will send a team Quebec City's way.
Mayor Régis Labeaume has said that without an NHL franchise, the $400-million arena - dubbed a "multi-functional amphitheatre"- will run a $600,000 annual deficit.
"I think it will be more than that," opposition councillor Yvon Bussières said in an interview. "Millions."
The six contracts between the city, Quebecor and its subsidiaries specify that they are conditional on the adoption of Bill 204 by the National Assembly.
Bill 204 would retroactively confirm the legality of the city's arrangement with Quebecor, negotiated directly with the media giant rather than through public tenders.
Bill 204 was proposed last spring by the Parti Québécois, at the mayor's request. It backfired, leading to resignations of elected PQ members and a challenge to the authority of party leader Pauline Marois.
The PQ dissidents were not convinced the accord was a good deal and balked at Marois's imposition of party discipline, forcing them to vote for Bill 204. Marois has since agreed to a free vote on Bill 204.
On Tuesday, the PQ caucus spokesperson, Éric Gamache, had "no comment" on the accord with Quebecor, saying it was up to the Liberal government of Jean Charest to decide when Bill 204 would be presented.
Charest said last spring it would be adopted soon after the assembly resumes sitting on Sept. 20.
Quebecor would rent the facility for 25 years, with a possible 15-year extension, and is committed to seeking an NHL franchise.
"We know Quebecor wants a team," Labeaume said. "There is no doubt about that."
kougherty@montrealgazette.com
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Read more: www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Quebecor+arena+pact+okayed/5361984/story.html#ixzz1XGvACkqj
Quebecor's NHL arena pact okayed
BY KEVIN DOUGHERTY, GAZETTE QUEBEC BUREAU SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
With the only three independent members on council dissenting, Quebec City's municipal council approved a six-part agreement Tuesday between the city and Quebecor Media Inc., handing the Montreal media conglomerate the keys to a proposed new National Hockey League arena.
The aim of the 25-year deal, renewable for an additional 15 years, is to draw an NHL team to replace the Nordiques, who last played in the city in 1995. But opposition councillors noted there is no guarantee the NHL will send a team Quebec City's way.
Mayor Régis Labeaume has said that without an NHL franchise, the $400-million arena - dubbed a "multi-functional amphitheatre"- will run a $600,000 annual deficit.
"I think it will be more than that," opposition councillor Yvon Bussières said in an interview. "Millions."
The six contracts between the city, Quebecor and its subsidiaries specify that they are conditional on the adoption of Bill 204 by the National Assembly.
Bill 204 would retroactively confirm the legality of the city's arrangement with Quebecor, negotiated directly with the media giant rather than through public tenders.
Bill 204 was proposed last spring by the Parti Québécois, at the mayor's request. It backfired, leading to resignations of elected PQ members and a challenge to the authority of party leader Pauline Marois.
The PQ dissidents were not convinced the accord was a good deal and balked at Marois's imposition of party discipline, forcing them to vote for Bill 204. Marois has since agreed to a free vote on Bill 204.
On Tuesday, the PQ caucus spokesperson, Éric Gamache, had "no comment" on the accord with Quebecor, saying it was up to the Liberal government of Jean Charest to decide when Bill 204 would be presented.
Charest said last spring it would be adopted soon after the assembly resumes sitting on Sept. 20.
Quebecor would rent the facility for 25 years, with a possible 15-year extension, and is committed to seeking an NHL franchise.
"We know Quebecor wants a team," Labeaume said. "There is no doubt about that."
kougherty@montrealgazette.com
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Read more: www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Quebecor+arena+pact+okayed/5361984/story.html#ixzz1XGvACkqj
Go NORDS!
