22 replies to this topic

[damned]

The owner of the Edmonton Oilers has asked to appear before city council on Wednesday.

Mayor Stephen Mandel says he's interested in what pharmacy billionaire Daryl Katz will have to say about the new arena he wants to build in downtown Edmonton with mostly taxpayer money.

Mandel also says if Katz or officials from his company, the Katz Group, wants to appear in front of council, he or the others will have to do it in public.

http://www.sportsnet...before_council/

[damned]

You knew this topic had to be stirred up again at some point.

[CoyoteQ]

You knew this topic had to be stirred up again at some point.

lol

[JR Ewing]

Hmm. All of a sudden, Mr. Katz wants to make an appearance. We know what he wants, but we'll have to see how he puts it to council.

JR

[Tashimojo]

When I read this headline, for some reason it sounds like a magic trick. I picture a poof of smoke and suddenly, boom! Katz has appeared!

[JR Ewing]

When I read this headline, for some reason it sounds like a magic trick. I picture a poof of smoke and suddenly, boom! Katz has appeared!

Wait a minute...

Billionaire recluse businessman...
Suddenly appearing...

Daryl Katz is Batman!



JR

[damned]

That would be so very cool!

I'm a nerd .... yes.

[JR Ewing]

That would be so very cool!

I'm a nerd .... yes.

It's a pipe dream. There's no way he could fit that hair underneath the Dark Knight's cowl.

JR

[damned]

It's a pipe dream. There's no way he could fit that hair underneath the Dark Knight's cowl.

JR

lol

Not to mention he's way to short.

[Tashimojo]

It's a pipe dream. There's no way he could fit that hair underneath the Dark Knight's cowl.

JR

Never underestimate the dark knight's gadgets...

[Craig Simpson]

Hopefully he's a bit more humble coming in this time.

[damned]

Turns out Katz himself won't be there, surprise, surprise.

With that said it would be nice for them to get this done once and for all, I still think it will be built one way or another, with or without Katz.

[JR Ewing]

Turns out Katz himself won't be there, surprise, surprise.

With that said it would be nice for them to get this done once and for all, I still think it will be built one way or another, with or without Katz.

I'm disappointed to hear he won't be making a personal appearance. If he just sends an intermediary, he might as well just text over a list of his demands.

JR

[damned]

I'm disappointed to hear he won't be making a personal appearance. If he just sends an intermediary, he might as well just text over a list of his demands.

JR

I was hoping that he had learned his lesson and would show in person as well, that I'll admit. I'm going to wait until we hear just what the Ktaz group is there to say before I lay down my opinion though. Just in case they have come to the realization they had a pretty good deal with the city. Heh.

[Steelwool]

I was hoping that he had learned his lesson and would show in person as well, that I'll admit. I'm going to wait until we hear just what the Ktaz group is there to say before I lay down my opinion though. Just in case they have come to the realization they had a pretty good deal with the city. Heh.

Hmmm, an owner wanting a better deal than what they already agreed to. Whoda thunk it!!!

[damned]

Hmmm, an owner wanting a better deal than what they already agreed to. Whoda thunk it!!!

lol

That was well played! +1

Today's events those have the Katz group asking to reopen negotiations with the city by going back to the original agreement they had. However they have tabled another proposal that would see the city but aside excess tax dollars, if the city see's better then expected tax returns from the surrounding development, into a side pot that could only be used for maintenance of the arena. They have dropped the 6 million in subsidy request all together.

I don't think that's a harsh request myself. They are basically saying if things go better then expected projections, the city would help maintain the building. If things perform as expected, or go bad, it's the Katz groups problem.

[damned]

Officials representing Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz (KATES) say they were shocked when the city broke off talks on a new downtown arena and they would like negotiations restarted.

The Katz Group is appearing before city council to discuss the stalled $450-million project.

Councillors voted in October to stop talking after the Katz Group refused to publicly explain its request for a $6-million annual subsidy that was not part of the original agreement.

Senior executive John Karvellas says the Katz Group has dropped that demand.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=411491

[Craig Simpson]

Maybe we'll see the end of the lockout and a new arena agreement in place in time for Christmas. What a present to Oiler fans that would be! Just as long as the Oilers do better than the Barons...

[damned]

City council voted in favor of opening talks again with the Katz group. Both sides have agreed to have a mediator look over the city's projections and the Katz group's projections of potential profit in an effort to see who numbers are more accurate. Target date for a completed deal is April 30th I believe.

[damned]

The deal to build a new arena for the NHL's Edmonton Oilers rose from the dead Wednesday, but remains a long way from getting back on its feet.

City councillors voted to resume talks with Oilers billionaire owner Daryl Katz after Katz officials promised to abandon demands for an extra $210 million in direct subsidies from taxpayers.

Both sides are still hoping to get a deal in place to put shovels in the ground by April on the $478-million downtown rink.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=411491