The Arizona Coyotes’ plans to construct a new arena have been boosted by the news that the NHL ice hockey franchise could benefit from up to $255m (€211.8m/£180.2m) in public funding for the project.
According to the AZCentral.com website, the US state’s Senate committee has approved legislation that would make the funds available to the team, which currently plays its home matches at the 13-year-old Gila River Arena.
The legislation passed by a vote of 6-1 out of the Transportation and Technology Committee. The bill is now likely to head to the Senate Rules Committee before a floor vote.
The funds would cover 57 per cent of costs for the arena, with new sales taxes to cover $170m and the host city – either Phoenix or East Valley – to contribute $55 million. The team has already said it will pay $170m of the overall $393m cost.
In plans announced late last year, the Coyotes hope to move to a new 16,000-plus seat arena with an attached 4,000 seat multisport facility. Its current home, Gila River Arena, has a capacity of 18,300.
Share this