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The pursuit of a forever home for the Arizona Coyotes seems to be a never-ending saga.
In their latest hitch, Scottsdale mayor David Ortega opposed the Coyotes’ plans to purchase land in North Phoenix — bordering Scottsdale — to build their arena in an opinion piece written Monday for the Arizona Digital Free Press, calling the project unfeasible and unwelcome.
“The prospect of a rookie developer attempting to buy Arizona State Trust Land with absolutely no infrastructure on the Phoenix side of Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road intersection at the doorstep of Scottsdale is not feasible, or welcome,” Ortega wrote.
“I admire the hockey sport, Arizona Coyotes community involvement and phenomenal youth clubs at Scottsdale Ice Den. But I along with City of Scottsdale staff will continue to monitor any actions that occur, and negative repercussions for Scottsdale. As it stands today, the fantasy hockey project must move west, away from Scottsdale.”
The issue stems from the infrastructure needed to sustain a hockey arena where the plot of land is situated. Ortega has demanded that any infrastructure be pulled from Phoenix, not from Scottsdale, because his city’s water assets are “absolutely not available.”
The Coyotes declined to comment on Ortega’s statement when contacted by Sportsnet.
The Coyotes played at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz, from 2003 to 2022, when the city elected not to renew their contract with the team, thus putting the franchise in location limbo.
The Coyotes announced their intention last week to win the upcoming land auction, taking place on June 27, and say they will privately fund the construction of the arena and entertainment district. In 2023, it appeared the Coyotes might land in Tempe, but their $1.7-billion entertainment district proposal was rejected by voters in a referendum.
The Coyotes are nearing the end of their second season at a 5,000-seat rink on Arizona State’s campus while looking for a long-term solution. NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh has voiced concern about being the second tenant in that small of a building, saying several deadlines have passed.
Commissioner Gary Bettman, in an interview with The Associated Press last month, said Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo was working on the situation.
“It’s hard work, and he’s committed to it,” Bettman said, declining to put a deadline on the process. “I think sooner rather than later. I think people are craving certainty. And we are, too, but this isn’t a 60-minute game where the light goes on and the game’s over. He’s working on it. We still have some time.”
The Cooytes, meanwhile, have expressed optimism about their plans.
“We are thrilled by the prospects of building this historic development for Arizona Coyotes fans and fans in waiting,” Xavier Gutierrez, president and CEO said. “This is more than just an arena project — it is a best-in-class urban redevelopment project that would transform a perfectly located parcel of land into an Arizona landmark, and create a vibrant neighbourhood for individuals to live, work and play.”
— With files from the Associated Press
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