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Various media outlets, including Radio Canada, are reporting that a new Quebec City arena is a go, as Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume is expected to hold a press conference tomorrow to announce the final piece of the funding pie: federal gas-tax proceeds.
The current plan from Prime Minister Stephen Harper calls for a simple change allowing cities to spend their share of the federal gas tax on entertainment facilities; current law limits spending to infrastructure like roads and sewer projects. A total of $2 billion is distributed by the feds.
Quebec City could use this money to fill a new-arena funding gap. The cost for the 18,000-seat, NHL-quality arena replacing Le Colisee is pegged at $400 million, and the provicial government has already committed $175 million. The city has pledged $50 million, and one prime funding source — naming rights — is still on the table.
RELATED STORIES: Quebecor stepping up to fund Quebec City arena ; Quebec City ready to move ahead without federal arena aid; Harper: No federal funding of arenas — unless Olympics are involved; Backup plan in works for Quebec City arena funding; Fallout from NHL to Quebec City could affect Remparts; Harper backtracks on federal funding of Quebec City arena; Could new Quebec arena open doors for federal spending on arenas? ; Province will pay up to 45 percent of new Quebec City arena; Quebec City on verge of new arena, return of NHL?
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