Bettman: Work on new Flames arena needs to begin 'immediately'

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told a Calgary audience Monday that the city should not even think about hosting premier events such as the All-Star Game and entry draft until the Flames are playing in a new arena.

The team's ownership group has revealed plans for a $900-million complex called CalgaryNext that would be shared by the Flames and the CFL's Stampeders, but the city of Calgary has yet to provide public funding for the project.

"There is no doubt CalgaryNext is needed in Calgary," Bettman said, according to Ian Campbell of 660 News. "And by that definition - work needs to begin on it immediately."

The commissioner began his address admitting "it would be nice to fantasize" about a potential All-Star weekend or draft in the city, but with Detroit and Edmonton set to move to new arenas in the coming years, Calgary's Saddledome would become the league's second-oldest arena by 2017.

"By July 1, 2017, the Battle of Alberta hockey will still be legendary," Bettman continued. "But the Battle of Alberta arenas won't even be close."

Bettman went on to admit he understands the argument that public money should not be spent on sport during tough economic times in Alberta, but he said there was "no way" a new arena could be constructed solely as a private venture.