Calgary Flames arena plans remain in talking stage

There was no deal to announce following the latest event centre committee meeting Friday morning regarding a new arena for Calgary Flames.

The committee met behind closed doors for updates on negotiations between the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) AND CAA ICON — a strategic management consulting firm for public and private sports.

However, there were a lot of members of city council at the meeting.

Sonya Sharp, chair of the committee, says the reason so many members from council were there is because they missed the last get-together about a month ago.

“The last time we had a meeting in February, and not all members of council could come. So, I wanted folks to really get to the point where they understood where we were in the process,” Sharp said. “And today happened to be a day, where most people were available, so we had that meeting.”

She says they are “progressing” and “thrilled” at where they’re at. She didn’t add any concrete details.

“I will say that I’m absolutely thrilled at where we’re at. We have hired a CAA ICON. And I think it’s one of the best decisions we made as a committee and as the city,” Sharp said.

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“At this time, progress work is going really well, and it’s an opportunity for the committee to get an update from our third party, our deal structure advisors.”

Sharp adds there is no timeline on any decision, as her “concern is to get this right.”

She also echoed comments from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman last week, that things are constructive and friendly between the team and CAA ICON.

— With files from Mark Strashok