ICYMI: Flames and city of Calgary announce plans for new arena

Breaking: The city has reached a tentative agreement with the Flames for a new arena to replace the Saddledome. Council to discuss the deal Monday: https://t.co/FhNG51K3vE #yyccc #yyc

— Meghan Potkins (@mpotkins) July 19, 2019

It’s been four years since the Flames first presented their contentious vision for a new arena to replace the Saddledome.

Now, a tentative deal has finally been reached with the city. BIG scoop from @mpotkins: https://t.co/yI1FCZYnih

— Sammy Hudes (@SammyHudes) July 19, 2019

Coun. Jeff Davison, chair of the city's Event Centre Assessment Committee, says council is set to discuss the new arena deal between the city, Flames and Calgary Stampede behind closed doors today at 3:45 p.m.

"All three parties are on board and have agreed," he said.#yyccc

— Sammy Hudes (@SammyHudes) July 22, 2019

Davison on when shovels could be in the ground for a new arena to replace the Saddledome:

"I think we’ve really come to the realization that we’re probably well into 2021 before we move forward with any potential event centre.”#yyccc

— Sammy Hudes (@SammyHudes) July 22, 2019

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says the city never wavered it’s "number one principle."

“Public money must be spent for public benefit. As long as what is presented to us today meets those criteria… then I think we’ll be able to have a very good conversation with the public.” #yyccc

— Sammy Hudes (@SammyHudes) July 22, 2019

Nenshi on arena: "I certainly don’t believe that plopping an event centre into a neighbourhood suddenly means you’re going to have tons of economic development all around it. I think that is not what will happen and I think it would not be honest to say that would happen."#yyccc

— Sammy Hudes (@SammyHudes) July 22, 2019

BREAKING: We have the breakdown of the deal. It’ll see the city and the Flames each pay $275 million for an arena to replace the Saddledome. #yyccc pic.twitter.com/c2Bbw7bzWt

— Sammy Hudes (@SammyHudes) July 23, 2019

“Let’s cut to the chase. This is a good deal for Calgary,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. #yyccc pic.twitter.com/txKTB9jmac

— Sammy Hudes (@SammyHudes) July 23, 2019

Ken King, on the 35 year lease meaning the Flames won’t be leaving the city anytime soon:

“There was never any sense of us wanting to be anywhere else.” #yyccc

— Sammy Hudes (@SammyHudes) July 23, 2019