ARIZONA NEWS

Bill in Arizona Senate would help fund $395M arena for Arizona Coyotes

Feb 14, 2017, 5:11 PM | Updated: Feb 15, 2017, 11:33 am

Arizona Coyotes center Alexander Burmistrov, right, celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canuc...

Arizona Coyotes center Alexander Burmistrov, right, celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) and left wing Brendan Perlini (29) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes defeated the Canucks 3-0. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX — A bill that passed a committee in the Arizona Senate on Tuesday would help provide funding to build a $395 million arena for the Arizona Coyotes.

Senate Bill 1149 is state Sen. Bob Worsley’s second attempt to provide money for a new home for the team.

Should it pass, the bill would create a public-private partnership to build the arena. It would be built with $170 million in team money, $55 million from the host city and an additional $170 million raised through bond sales.

The arena would be owned by the city where the arena is located.

Worsley said other Valley teams — such as the Phoenix Suns or Arizona Diamondbacks — would not likely be able to use SB 1149 to potentially fund a new home because his bill expires in 2019.

Clearing the committee was the bill’s first step to a full Senate vote.

The bill was expected to be introduced. After a deal between the Coyotes and Arizona State University collapsed, Worsley told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Craig Morgan that he would craft new legislation that would allow the team to consider other locations.

“Everything was built in this legislation around the stadium district which is unique to ASU,” he said. “It’s now being reworked so it can work for any location. It would work the same way but we would create an entertainment district that would not be a sub-part of the stadium district.”

SB 1149 did not specify a location for the arena, but Worsley said he is aware of “four or five options” the Coyotes have, aside from remaining at Gila River Arena in Glendale, where the city confirmed this month that the Coyotes had extended their lease through the 2017-18 season.

Coyotes president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc said the team has already renewed talks with other potential sites that were put on the backburner when the team was solely focused on the ASU location.

“When we made the decision to go with the Tempe site in the fall, it was just that, a decision made by the Coyotes,” LeBlanc said. “Admittedly, we felt it was the best site and best path, but it isn’t the only path. We are re-engaging with other potential sites.”

Arizona Sports’ Craig Morgan contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

The five Maricopa County Board of Supervisors seats were up for grabs during the 2024 election....

KTAR.com

2 Maricopa County supervisor races remain tight, other 3 are blowouts

Two Maricopa County Board of Supervisors races remain too close to call, while the three other contests are blowouts.

10 minutes ago

David Schweikert and Amish Shah...

KTAR.com

Incumbent David Schweikert leads Amish Shah in Arizona CD1 race

Republican Rep. David Schweikert held a lead over Democrat Amish Shah in the race for Arizona Congressional District 1 as of Sunday morning.

34 minutes ago

Kari Lake has been gaining ground on Ruben Gallego since Election Day in Arizona's Senate race....

KTAR.com

Democrat Ruben Gallego stretches lead over Republican Kari Lake in tight Arizona Senate race

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego padded his lead following the latest ballot drop over Republican Kari Lake.

49 minutes ago

A developer purchased a 9.73-acre Queen Creek site to be converted into a RV, boat and self-storage...

David Veenstra

Developer buys Queen Creek site for self-storage, RV, boat parking

A developer purchased a 9.73-acre site in Queen Creek that will be converted into an RV, boat and self-storage facility. 

2 hours ago

A Phoenix woman who was carrying a large knife around an apartment complex is in critical condition...

David Veenstra

Phoenix woman carrying knife around apartment complex shot by police officers, in critical condition

A Phoenix woman who was carrying a large knife around an apartment complex is in critical condition after being shot by police on Saturday.

4 hours ago

Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks...

Mignon A. Gould/Phoenix Business Journal

Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks to debut in December

The much-anticipated Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks venue has set a December opening date.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Morris Hall

West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

The best methods to make your back pain disappear for good

Are you struggling with back pain that will not go away?

...

Dr. Shanyn Lancaster, Family & Sports Medicine physician, Midwestern University Comprehensive Care Clinic – Central Phoenix

Exercise is truly your best medicine

“You never slow down, you never grow old”. – Tom Petty

Bill in Arizona Senate would help fund $395M arena for Arizona Coyotes