City of Calgary votes to reopen arena talks with Flames

It's time to get back to the negotiating table.

On Monday, the City of Calgary voted in favor of forming a committee that hopes to reignite discussions with the Flames regarding the construction of a new arena.

"We've sent a strong signal today that says we have a strong contingent on council that wants to have a conversation," Calgary councillor Jeff Davison told Meghan Potkins of the Calgary Herald.

Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi was among the City representatives who voted to begin negotiating again.

"I'm hopeful that the restart on our side will also be a restart on their side and that we can actually have a reasonable conversation without threats and acrimony, but actually sit down and look at what is possible," Nenshi said.

Negotiations fell apart in September, but not before both the City and the Flames released their proposals for public consumption.

The Flames have played out of the Scotiabank Saddledome since 1983, an arena NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has referred to as a "grand old building" that has become antiquated by league standards, according to Dave Dormer of CBC Sports.

"At some point, I envision without a new building there will be consequences that everybody is going to have to deal with," Bettman said in September.

The Flames haven't directly threatened relocation, with the franchise stating it will remain in its current home for as long as possible. However, Flames president Ken King has also indicated there would be no threat of relocation, and that the team would simply leave.

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