Negotiations For New Stadium Begin With Edmonton City Government

[Chuck V]

Edmonton, Alberta

Negotiations between the Edmonton Jackrabbits and the City of Edmonton began with both sides meeting last night and very little done except both sides crying poverty.

Team officials had a long list of complaints about AGLS Field and claimed that the current condition of the field is such that maintenance costs now average close to 10 million a year and that does not even include the upgrades needed to make the ballpark competitive with other teams in the BBA.

"The city saw fit to build a new hockey arena six years ago and a new football stadium three years ago and we are simply asking where is ours? We have brought three championships to this city and have made all upgrades and repairs ourselves. We need a new ballpark to be able to compete. AGLS Field has a ton of history, but now we are near the bottom of the league in attendance and just about last in the BBA in revenue. A new ballpark would give the city a location for Edmontonians to come together in the summer and we believe a new ballpark will draw a great number of tourists for local businesses to benefit from." said Team General Manager Chuck Valenches.

The team has engaged the services of Populous Architects to design the new stadium. Populous gained fame with their design of the Soccer Stadium in Nashville, TN and even a retro ballpark, the Field of Dreams, set in the location of the movie of the same name in Dyersville, IA, United States.

Both sides are expected to meet again in the coming weeks to try and come up with new funding mechanisms for the new ballpark, but city officials have stated that the city may be able to offer little help in financing the new ballpark.

[Jwalk100]

Uh oh. I hear the Mayflower trucks warming up!

[lordtoffee]

Get ready to learn Art Modell, Jackrabbits fans.