(Nashville) The Arizona Coyotes have identified six potential sites to build a new privately funded amphitheater and entertainment district, a project that could be the NHL club’s last chance to stay in the Nashville area. Phoenix.
Shortly before the start of the NHL Draft, Coyotes President and COO Xavier Gutierrez said each of the venues was located within the 101 Freeway corridor that covers the cities of Scottsdale, Phoenix and Mesa.
Crucially, he said each of the sites being considered would be available for purchase, negating the need for a referendum like the one that stopped the Coyotes from building a similar complex in Tempe last month.
“We always want to walk the talk and build something top notch,” said Gutierrez, whose team is about to play a second season in a 5,000-seat college amphitheater on the campus of State of Arizona.
“To all fans, we are committed to making this happen,” he added. We were disappointed with the outcome of the vote in Tempe, but we moved on very quickly. »
The Arizona Coyotes’ future took another shock after voters overwhelmingly voted “no” to the $2.3 billion Tempe Entertainment District project. The referendum was necessary because the project was to be built on public land.
Gutierrez said many of the sites identified had already been considered, but were not considered because he believed the Tempe site would be approved. He added that the plans prepared for the Tempe site, which are now rejected, can be used for the other sites without major changes.
By laying out a rough timeline, Gutierrez hopes to present the league with one or more options by early 2024, which is in line with recent expectations from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to get an answer by the end of 2024. the middle of next season.
“The NHL didn’t give us any timelines,” Gutierrez said. We have been in constant communication with them about all the options available to us. They are convinced that we are doing what is necessary. »
The Coyotes must play two more seasons at Mullett Arena, and have an option for a fourth season, which would allow them to meet the deadlines for the construction of their new amphitheater.