Breaking news from the Arizona Coyotes emerged around midday on Monday. The club announced their plans for a new arena that will be located at the northwest corner of E. Rio Salado Parkway and South McClintock Drive in the city of Tempe, Arizona.
The team entered an exclusive agreement with Catellus Development Corporation, the chief developer for the Arizona State University Athletic Facilities District, to build a brand new arena along Tempe Town Lake. The plans for the project, which marks the beginning of a new chapter for Coyotes hockey, include a brand new 16,000-seat arena, along with a 4,000-seat multi-sport stadium, which will be used for Coyotes practices, Sun Devils Athletics, community youth practices and games, as well as for general community events.
“We are thrilled to partner with Catellus on this tremendous project that will include our future new home in the East Valley,” said Coyotes Majority Owner, Chairman and Governor Andrew Barroway (via NHL.com). “The Coyotes are committed to Arizona, and we are extremely excited about our bright future.”
“As the first major partner for the ASU Athletic Facilities District, the Coyotes campus will generate momentum for this innovative, urban corridor,” said Greg Weaver, Executive Vice President for Catellus Development Corporation (via NHL.com). “We are excited to partner with the Coyotes for their new facility.”
The planning period for the complex ends on June 30, 2017, at which point the plans for the complex itself as well as its budget will be concluded. The arena is set to be ready for the beginning of the 2019-20 National Hockey League season.
The Coyotes have been playing in Glendale Arizona since the 2003 season and since then have gone through many changes, including the selling of the team in 2013. Recently, the Coyotes and the City of Glendale had been negotiating for a new lease, but it seems as if the Coyotes have found their answer.
In 2013, the City of Glendale devised a $15 million-per-year revenue share with the team, but terminated the contract two years later in 2015. The building of and relocation to this grand new arena is hoped to attract more fans and attention for the club, as it is closer to the metropolitan section of Phoenix, where it has been noted that the majority of the Coyotes fan base is located. As for now, the Coyotes are rumored to be negotiating to keep playing at Gila River Arena in Glendale until the construction of the new complex is completed in 2019.
“Over the past year we have been exhaustive in our research regarding the most optimal location for our new home in the Valley,” said Coyotes President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc (via NHL.com). “While we have tremendous fans all across the greater Phoenix metro area, not to mention the entire state, it became clear that the East Valley is home to a majority of our fans and corporate partners. Our fans in the West Valley have shown us tremendous support over the past 13 years, and we look forward to working with them as we transition to our new home in the future.”
The Arizona Coyotes currently stand at a record of 5-9-0 and sit in last place in the Western Conference.
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