'No negotiations' with CSEC as event centre committee meets ahead of summer break

Calgary’s event centre committee met for several hours Monday morning and indicated there's reason for optimism on the potential for a future arena deal.
The majority of the meeting was held behind closed doors, with officials saying discussions are still ongoing toward bringing Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) — the company that owns the Calgary Flames among other local sports teams —to the table on a new arena deal.
"As we go through these next couple months, we are hoping for an even bigger update for September with more information to be able to speak about," said Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp, who chairs the committee.
A third party has been tasked with gauging whether CSEC is interested in doing another deal with the city to replace the Scotiabank Saddledome.
CBRE executive vice president John Fisher, NAIOP Calgary director of strategic initiatives Guy Huntingford and Ayrshire Group executive chairman Phil Swift will lead those discussions with the Calgary Flames ownership group.
Sharp says she's optimistic as administration has been tasked with moving this process along quickly.
"Time and speed will be my priority, and they knew I would be pressuring them to move quicker than usual, and they have," she said.
The committee and administration say there are no concrete details to be released in relation to any sort of plans for a new event centre, but discussions continue.
"The work is progressing well, we have a lot to do over the course of the summer months," said Stuart Dalgleish, general manager of planning and development with the City of Calgary.
The committee came to fruition after the agreement to build an event centre officially fell apart at the start of this year when the city and CSEC couldn't agree on additional funding needed for the project around environmental concerns.
An agreement to build a new event centre was signed in December 2019, with the city and CSEC splitting the cost of the $550 million project. Costs increased to $634 million before the deal expired on New Year's Eve.
The committee will meet again in September.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Liberals table bill delaying assisted dying expansion to March 2024
The federal government is seeking to delay the extension of assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole condition is a mental disorder until March 17, 2024. Justice Minister David Lametti introduced a bill seeking the extension in the House of Commons on Thursday.

EXCLUSIVE | Gay man taking Canadian government to court, says sperm donation restrictions make him feel like a 'second-class citizen'
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.
Six more weeks of winter? Here are the predictions of groundhogs across North America
Will we see six more weeks of winter, or an early spring? Here’s what some of the groundhogs (and one human) have predicted so far, from coast-to-coast.
China accuses Canada of 'politically manipulating' with Uyghur refugee vote
The Chinese government says a motion MPs passed Wednesday to provide asylum to persecuted Uyghurs amounts to political manipulation by Canada.
Ukraine's new weapon will force a Russian shift
The United States has answered President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plea for rockets that can strike deep behind the front lines of the nearly year-long conflict with Russia. Now Russian forces will need to adapt or face potentially catastrophic losses.
Organization regulating medical care in Manitoba apologizes for Indigenous-specific racism in health care
The organization regulating medical care and services in Manitoba is apologizing for racism directed towards Indigenous people when accessing health care in the province.
Australia is removing monarchy from its bank notes
Australia is removing the monarchy from its bank notes. The nation's new $5 bill will feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III. But the king is still expected to appear on coins that currently bear the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Quebec woman shocked to find stolen Audi driven through Ontario mall in 'insane' robbery
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
The bizarre history of Groundhog Day
It's about as strange (and cute) as holidays get. So how did Groundhog Day go from a kooky local tradition to an annual celebration even those of us who don't worry about winter can find the fun in?