Alberta’s premier says her government will not be weighing in on the current battle over a new arena for the NHL Calgary Flames.
The Flames indicated last week they were pulling out of arena talks with the city because negotiations have been unproductive.
READ MORE: Calgary mayoral candidates challenged over stance on arena on 2017 nomination day
Mayor Naheed Nenshi has said the city is ready to negotiate in good faith.
WATCH from Sept. 15: Calgary mayoral candidate Naheed Nenshi thought negotiations with owners of the Calgary Flames on a new arena were pretty close.
Premier Rachel Notley says any role that the provincial government may have is hypothetical and the matter has to run its course before there is any thought of involvement.
Her comments echo those of Federal Sport Minister Kent Hehr, who last week said Ottawa would not get involved.
READ MORE: Nenshi says new arena ‘not necessary’ for Calgary Olympic bid, cites Edmonton’s Rogers Place
Notley says she will leave it up to candidates in the municipal election to debate the issue.
“I think those debates need to follow their own course before we get involved in talking about any role, if any, that the provincial government might ever take,” Notley told reporters in Calgary.
“It’s not helpful for the provincial government to weigh in at this point so I’m not going to.”
WATCH from Sep. 15: News Talk 770’s Rob Breakenridge and 630 CHED’s Ryan Jespersen join Global’s Scott Fee to discuss the City of Calgary’s latest proposal for an NHL.