"Steady Eddie" may be on his way out the door as Alberta's premier, but not without offering hope to those looking for provincial cash for a new downtown Edmonton arena.
After a meeting in late July with Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel, retiring Premier Ed Stelmach suggested Edmonton could have access to significantly more provincial infrastructure cash in the coming years under a program known as the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI). MSI funds could be a ticket to cover at least part of the $100 million shortfall in financing for the new arena.
The project is seen not only as a needed new building for the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, but a key revitalization tool for downtown Edmonton.
Stelmach noted Alberta's economy is improving, as is the province's revenue stream, but first-quarter figures for 2011-12 hadn't yet been available when he met with Mandel.
from Western Investor September 2011
