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Several Calgary city councillors heard that progress on talks about a new events centre are “going really well,” but committee chair Sonya Sharp didn’t have many details about the ongoing negotiations.

“At this time, progress work is going really well and it was an opportunity for the committee to get an update from our . . . deal structure advisers, and a lot of members of council did come to the meeting today so that they could get up to speed on what’s going on,” said Sharp.

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Councillors met with officials of CAA Icon, the firm hired by the city to negotiate with the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. (CSEC) — the owner of the Calgary Flames — for a new events centre agreement.

Sharp said conversations with CSEC are going well and work is progressing.

She pointed out it’s been about a year since the city first struck a committee to pursue a new event centre deal with CSEC. The previous deal fell apart in late 2021 when CSEC walked away over escalating costs, just weeks before they were set to break ground on a new facility in Victoria Park.

Since then, a third party advisers helped bring both sides back to the table, and the city brought on CAA Icon to negotiate on its behalf.

“We have hired CAA Icon and I think it’s one of the best decisions we made as a committee and as a city,” said Sharp. “So, I would say, I’m thrilled with the progress that we’re making.”

She said no politicians will be doing any negotiations on this deal. The talks will strictly be between CSEC and CAA Icon.

When asked about a timeline, Sharp said there won’t be a time stamp on negotiations. They will take as long as required.

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Twitter: @brodie_thomas

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