Quebec City prepares for the NHL!

Fred Poulin ‏@fredpoulin98
The City of Quebec has named the Project director for the new arena and has selected the excavation company. Project will start in Sept.

www.journaldequebec.com/2012/07/21/du-reve-a-la-realite

translated by google translate

From dream to reality!

MARIO ROY
JOURNAL OF QUEBEC, ISSUED: Saturday, July 21, 2012, 8:30 | UPDATE: Saturday, July 21, 2012, 8:32



In 2008, when the idea of ​​giving Quebec City a new infrastructure has sprouted in the heads of Mario Bedard, he had no idea that everything would go as fast.

This project, a politician never dared approach it. The Colosseum today is less convenient for artists, Quebec was relegated to a court of second class.

Events and large-scale shows take a different direction, and Quebec was content with the crumbs which others would not.

However, in 2015, this time will be over. The people of Quebec and eastern Ontario will have access to a multi-purpose amphitheater largely meet the norms and standards set by those who occupy these buildings throughout the world.

I was told enthusiastically that this amphitheater will undoubtedly become the pride of the people of Quebec and the region.

I have my place, Walking and Nordic Blue Nation, all these popular movements have helped to give impetus to the size of construction project of the new Coliseum. They were the means for citizens to express themselves on a project they have taken on and they were what decision makers involved needed to move forward.

Rapidly changing

It has not yet been two years since The Blue March we are already at the dawn of the start of construction of this building.

We are all able to see today that the rapid evolution of this project is largely attributable to the mobilization of the population was able to accomplish.

The event I have my shovel, to be held on September 3, will somehow be a way for this same population of the fruits of what it has sown with the initiative I have my place in the activities of the Nation and Nordic Walking in blue and finally make a real Walk, this time!

When Luc Robitaille came to Quebec in April 2011, he then told me that "the strongest and most evocative messages in the eyes of the league, it will activate when you will see shovels in a field the purpose of constructing a building. " Nothing to add to this.

I invite the public to participate in large numbers at this festive family activity that will mark the history of Quebec City again.

Look ahead

Therefore and in order to be forward looking, this event will give way to young minor hockey players. These young people will have the honor of opening this march carrying their shovels and their hockey jerseys. The official route will be announced later.

I invite all those interested in participating in the march to go visit Jaimapellebleue.com in the coming days to register and view all details related to the event.

A city like Quebec badly needed a theater like this one is about to erect. While this building will be owned by all, it is essential that the population participates in a symbolic way.

However, it will be interesting to monitor this site. Do other pitfalls will be participating? I'm afraid. Just hope the authorities will do everything in place to ensure that is respected as provided, both in terms of budget deadlines.

It is therefore an important appointment, and I invite people to participate in large numbers in this activity from Monday 3 September.

Glendale

A word of Glendale and the thick fog that covers this issue yet endless.

A judge (again) will hear the request of traders in the city next July 30 to endorse their petition to hold a referendum on increasing the sales tax directly related to the money granted for the management of Jobbing . com Arena in November.

Hard to believe that all is well for Jamison while it is not even able to comfort the captain Shane Doan on the future of the franchise.

Mario Roy to follow on Twitter: @ mariowroy

"I have my shovel"
There will be about 20,000 people
The September 2, 2012 at 22:37



TVA Sports

Everything is in place for the first sod for the construction of the new arena in Quebec City on Monday.

The organizers of the event "I have my shovel", organized to mark this significant milestone in the construction of the amphitheater, reached their minimum target for the number of excavators sold in blue for this day.

Their goal was to sell 30,000, but they expected that this number is at least 20,000.
"So far it's going very well. Since we sold the famous shovels to fund the event, approximately 20,000 were sold, said Sunday in an interview with TVA Sports Group Chairman J'ai ma place, Mario Bédard.

"It will be fantastic to see all these people for the first shovelful of earth, which will of the people."
Mr. Bédard, whose group is among the organizers of the day "I have my shovel," believes that the beginning of the construction of the new coliseum is a step in the right direction for the return of National League team Hockey Quebec.

"The NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is not alone in making these assertions. In 1995, we lost the Nordiques because we have not built new building. This is the first condition for the return of hockey here. "

The day "I have my shovel" will begin Monday with a symbolic march, from 12am.
The ball in Péladeau

The group's president J'ai ma place is a little more cautious when talking about teams that could potentially move into the Old Capital, as the Phoenix Coyotes.

"Like everyone else, I'm doing some reading on the subject, but no major research, he said. The day a team will be available Bettman knows the number of Pierre-Karl Peladeau and it will happen between these two men.

"It happens in this way, either with the Coyotes, New Jersey Devils, who are not very good, and the New York Islanders. To bring a hockey team, this case is in the hands of Mr. Peladeau. He signed a lease for the management of the theater 25 years and will work on this issue. "

tvasports.ca/tvasports/hockey/archives/2012/09/20120902-223728.html

www.facebook.com/pages/JAI-MA-PLACE/101638683220490

There are a few pictures on this facebook page

by Francois Couture - translated by google translate

www.zonenordiques.com/chroniques.php?no_chronique=12

Today, this is the event I HAVE MY SHOVEL which is invited the population of Quebec. It is with enthusiasm that 20,000 people will be present to officially mark the beginning of construction of the new amphitheater coveted since longment too. The other event demonstrates how much fun the simple thought can trigger get back our Nordic citizens in Quebec and all the happiness attached to the possibility of having a professional hockey club.

Canadiens fans are all born with a club already exists. They never had to fight for their hockey team or to worry about whether their team would move the following year. For the Nordiques fan, it was quite the opposite.

In the '70s, they had to endure the ridicule of Canadiens fans who watched as supporters in a league of second order, which encouraged them Nordiques of the WHA. Then, to show that they were indeed present, the Nordiques went flying and Marc Tardif Jean-Claude Tremblay Canadians. The Nordiques were becoming annoying and played in the flowerbeds of the Habs. These were now the situation much less funny. Then, these insolent Nordics have the audacity to want to do as the great and glorious change in the same circuit them. It was not funny at all and Canadians opposed! Then the inevitable, the Canadian continued to watch the Nordiques high ... purpose until 1981 Dale Hunter!

For partisan Nordiques pride connected to this struggle to bring his team to the NHL and to be recognized as a true professional hockey team in the eyes of Canadiens fans solidified his sense of belonging to fleurdelisés. This love has been transferred to the next generation with emphasis because, having lived there for the team since its inception, the supporter of Nordic has always felt like a full-fledged member of the team.

Then, when the Nordiques Ziegler evolved circuit, it was uncommon that they are shown on television. While nearly half of Canadians parts TV broadcast at the time, a couple of parts at most Nordiques were presented on the big screen. Nordiques supporters have not experienced the pleasure of being able to follow their favorite team in the era of the Internet. To follow our team, we moved to the Coliseum, we followed them on the radio, we read everything that could be written about the performance of the team in the newspapers. In short, it was a real effort to keep our team! It was not always easy, but it was our team!

Nordics have experienced beautiful moments in the NHL, starting with the two eliminations they have subjected to Canadians through goals from Dale Hunter and Peter Stastny in overtime in decisive matches in 1981 and 1985, respectively. The purpose of Stastny which eliminated the Whalers when only front-Liut, incredibly time-COMMMPTTE!, He blew the Coliseum while white is definitely another great moment for Nordiques fans have selected. In recent years, there has been a return of 0-2 in the last 2 minutes of the game first game of the series Canadiens-Nordiques in 1993 followed by the winning goal in overtime Scott Young, then 0-3 in the return the first game of the series due to Nordics NYR-3 goals Sakic, the last inscribed with 34 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, these two victories were not sufficient to allow the team to win their series and eliminations ended high hopes. In fact, the final elimination against the NY Rangers also put an end to the existence of the Nordiques. All these great moments, as everyone present at the event today I HAVE MY SHOVEL, I would fill relive! And with my children that I want to share them.

Of course, there have been worse times. Three years in a row where the Nordiques finished last year with 31 points quickly come to mind when you think of hard times experienced by the team. But as a father who was born a child and he knows that comprises less good times, the partisan Nordiques remained nevertheless still present. Because it was our team! We fought for it and it certainly was not going to give up!

In 1995, we saw a team finally dawning of great talent. The championship of the regular season confirmed. Unfortunately, early elimination in the first round followed by removal of the concession sounded the death knell of the Nordiques. Then, as the loop and add another dramatic chapter in the history of the franchise, our Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in the first year in Denver.

The history of Nordic was too short. Too short! But God it was exciting! It was full of twists and as hockey fans, she picked us up and we got involved felt! Many have had the pleasure to follow from beginning to end! And they hope that this story will resume again.

As something to be partisan Nordiques is never easy, so we hoped the transfer of a concession in great financial difficulty and without owner Moreover, it seems that this saga will continue for one more year. Decidedly, there will not be any easier with the Nordiques. The more things change, the more they stay the same!

But Quebec, she has changed! The economic situation has evolved! Senior executives of the city have high ambitions and no longer kill in the bud every projects. Quebec is capable and she knows it! Quebec and crosses an important step today, September 3, 2012. Hope this get back our Nordic coupled with the enthusiasm that exists in the city in recent years why people responded so strongly to the call of the Mayor. After the impressive march Blue 2 years ago, with the movement of NordiquesNation.com and his many travels, people will still visit today.

In the past, proponents of Nordiques had to fight for their team. And a few years now, and until we reached our goal, we will continue to do so even more intensely to revive. These are all ongoing battles that seem to bind us to the team. It seems to be at the heart of taking pleasure in the Nordics.

The Nordics are perhaps not there yet but they are still very much alive in the hearts of people from Quebec! And more than ever! Hockey fan and Nordics, let us get to relive our national sport. In all nations, it is possible and legitimate!

Hope to soon chanting "Go NORDIC Go!

Vincent Doyon ‏@vindoyon
Hey! #NHL! 20 000 fans for the "first shovel in the ground" event in QC. You won't see this anywhere else. New Colisee underway! #nordiques

Check out this picture of 20,000 blue shovels raised in the air!

/photo/1

The wallpaper is also cool!

www.journaldequebec.com/2012/09/03/prets-a-pelleter

J’AI MA PELLE
« La fierté a une ville »


Avec leurs pelles bleues, devenues un symbole de fierté, plusieurs milliers de personnes ont festoyé, hier à Québec, pour marquer la première pelletée de terre symbolique du nouvel amphithéâtre.

Soleil radieux aidant, la population a finalement répondu en grand nombre à l’événement J’ai ma pelle. Assez pour que Mario Bédard, l’homme derrière J’ai ma place, se donne la note de 110 % en fin de journée.

« C’est au-delà des attentes, s’est-il réjouit. Moi, je suis sûr qu’il y a plus que 20 000 personnes, parce que le site, qui est clôturé, pouvait contenir jusqu’à 50 000 personnes. (…) Probablement qu’il y a eu 40 000 personnes. »

Aucun chiffre officiel n’a toutefois été confirmé, hier.

De vibrants discours

Les prestations musicales survoltées et la première pelletée tant attendue ont été précédés par de vibrants discours.

« Vous savez, si vraiment la fierté a une ville, cette ville-là s’appelle Québec », a d’abord lancé le maire de Québec, Régis Labeaume, devant une foule conquise.

Le maire en a profité pour remercier le premier ministre Jean Charest, « qui a ouvert son carnet de chèques, qui a décidé qu’il payerait la moitié de l’amphithéâtre ».

Puis quelqu’un d’autre, « qui a payé très cher pour son appui à la loi 204 », la péquiste Pauline Marois.

Si le chef libéral a reçu de chaleureux applaudissements, ceux plus timides, pour la chef péquiste, ont rapidement été enterrés par les huées.

Labeaume ovationné

Remercié et applaudi, lui aussi, le pdg de Québecor, Pierre Karl Péladeau, a rendu la pareille au maire de Québec. S’en est suivi une ovation d’une trentaine de secondes pour Régis Labeaume.

« La Ville de Québec nous a confié la grande responsabilité de gérer l’amphithéâtre, il y a de cela quelque mois, a rappelé M. Péladeau. Je peux vous dire une chose, nous prenons notre rôle très au sérieux. »

« Vive Québec, vive le Québec et vive les Nordiques! », a terminé le pdg de Québecor.

Avec Mario Bédard, le maire Labeaume et Jean Charest, Peter Stastny, qui est venu d’Europe pour l’occasion, s’est retrouvé aux côtés de ses anciens collègues des Nordiques, Michel Goulet et Marc Tardif, pour la première pelletée de terre.

Puis jusqu’en fin de journée, se sont ensuite dessinées de longues files, formées de citoyens qui patiemment, se sont relayés pour atteindre l’avant-scène et enfin procéder à leur propre pelletée de terre.

« Ensemble, on livre la marchandise », a illustré le maire Labeaume, au cours de la journée.

Google translation:

With their shovels blue, become a symbol of pride, thousands of people have feasted yesterday in Quebec City to mark the symbolic first sod of the new amphitheater.

Bright sun helping the population eventually responded in great numbers to the event I have my shovel. Enough for Mario Bédard, the man behind J'ai ma place, takes the note of 110% at the end of the day.

"This is beyond expectations, it is glad. I'm sure there are more than 20,000 people, because the site is closed, could hold up to 50,000 people. (...) Probably there were 40,000 people. '

No official figure was, however, confirmed yesterday.

Of vibrating speech

Musical performances and supercharged awaited first shovelful were preceded by vibrating speech.

"You know, if indeed the pride a city, that city called Quebec", first launched the Mayor of Quebec City, Régis Labeaume, before an adoring crowd.

The mayor took the opportunity to thank Premier Jean Charest, "which opened its checkbook, who decided that he would pay half of the amphitheater."

Then someone else, "who paid dearly for its support Bill 204," the PQ Pauline Marois.

If the Liberal leader has received warm applause, those more timid for the PQ leader, were quickly buried by the boos.

Labeaume ovation

Thanked and applauded, too, the CEO of Quebecor, Pierre Karl Peladeau, returned the favor to the mayor of Quebec. Was followed by a standing ovation from thirty seconds to Régis Labeaume.

"The City of Quebec gave us a great responsibility to manage the amphitheater, there is this some months, said Mr. Peladeau. I can tell you one thing, we take our role very seriously. '

"Vive Quebec, Quebec bright and lively Nordiques! "Concluded the CEO of Quebecor.

Mario Bédard, Mayor Labeaume and Jean Charest, Peter Stastny, who came from Europe for the occasion, found himself alongside his former colleagues Nordiques Michel Goulet and Marc Tardif, for the first shovelful of earth .

Then until the end of the day, were then drawn long lines formed citizens who patiently took turns to reach the forefront and then make their own sod.

"Together, we deliver the goods," said Mayor Labeaume shown during the day.

m.journaldequebec.com/2012/09/03/un-candidat-viable-pour-la-lnh

translate by google translate (with a few "corrections" by me):

A viable candidate for the NHL

Elusive as it has been since the beginning of the saga of a possible return of the Nordiques in Quebec, the number two in the NHL Bill Daly showed encouraging signs on Monday for the ardent supporters for the return of Nordiques.

Coincidence or not, the NHL deputy commissioner responded with the speed of light to the email sent by the Journal questioning whether formal construction of an amphitheater changed the game in their perception of the key markets that can accommodate a franchise in the NHL.

"There is no direct link between the construction of an arena and a new team", he first wanted to specify.

"On the other hand, the existence of a 'state of the art' arena strengthens the possibility that Quebec is considered as a viable candidate to receive a franchise from the National Hockey League in the near future."

Point of No Return

More enthusiastic than Bill Daly, the manager of the future arena in Quebec, Pierre Karl Peladeau, believes that Quebec has taken a crucial step in an eventual return of [NHL] hockey to Quebec.

"It is undeniable that the construction of an arena was an unavoidable step. It is a point of no return that we have to cross," commented the President and CEO of Quebecor. "Quebec City has its fan base and has experienced economic development since the Nordiques left. I have a deep conviction that Quebec has everything you need to do more than just get [the NHL's] attention ... I think we have achieved the conditions for winning that one can see the return of the Nordiques to Quebec. '

Strides

"I've always said that, without an arena, there would never be [NHL} hockey in Quebec," says the President of J'ai ma place, Mario Bédard. "We are aware that with an arena, it is not certain that hockey is back. On the other hand, you put the odds on our side. This is the first ingredient to a return of the NHL to Quebec. This is a historic day for everyone who dreams of the return of hockey in Quebec."

For his part, the former star of the Nordiques Michel Goulet believes that Quebec must now be regarded as seriously as could be Winnipeg two years ago.

"Gary Bettman will take the city seriously as he took when Winnipeg had their arena. We know there are some more clubs are in difficulty. I think Quebec City is one of the first choice [to acquire a team]. '

swervinmervin ‏@justgotupndjava
The source for this comment is an email to le Journal de Quebec, as quoted in their article, here:

see links above

thehockeywriters.com/quebec-city-ready-to-start-digging-for-new-arena/

Quebec City Ready to Start Digging for New Arena
Fred Poulin | September 4, 2012

The first official shoveling of dirt for the construction of the new arena in Quebec City occurred Monday afternoon near the Old Colisee Pepsi, where 20,000 people gathered to participate symbolically to the “J’ai ma pelle” (I Have My Shovel) day. Overall, more than 20,000 shovels were sold by the organiser of that special day, the “J’ai Ma Place” (I Have My Seat) group led by Mario Bédard, qho has been advocating for a new arena and the return of a professional hockey team in Quebec City.


Mario Bedard (J’ai Ma Place), Quebec Prime Minister Jean Charest and Mayor Regis Labeaume (Source: La Presse)
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume, Quebec Prime Minister Jean Charest, Quebecor Media owner Pierre-Karl Peladeau, as well as former Quebec Nordiques players such as Peter Stastny, Marian Stastny, Michel Goulet, Alain Cote and Marc Tardif also attended the event.

Peter Stastny, who is now a member of the European parliament, made the trip to Quebec City despite his busy schedule. His brother Marian still lives in Saint-Nicolas, a suburb of Quebec City, where he owns a golf course. Hockey fans clamoured for autographs from the beloved Stasny brothers, who along with a third brother Anton defected from the former Czechoslovakia in the early 1980s to play for the Nordiques.

Charest, whose government committed $200M to the project, got a rousing round of applause from the crowd. Ironically, current Health minister Yves Bolduc, who was on-site and is a doctor, came to the rescue of a woman who fainted during the ceremony. The woman was the wife of Huron chief Max Gros-Louis.

The hockey fans who gathered yesterday for the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of a $400M arena hope that one day it will become home to an NHL team. Mayor Labeaume, who brought on board media giant Quebecor to manage the future multi-use amphitheatre, said the project never would have reached this stage without the support and enthusiasm of so many residents. The new arena is due to open in 2015 and will have a capacity of 18,000 spectators.


The first shovelling of dirt (Source: QMI Agency)
The arena will be similar in style to the Consol Energy Center, the home arena of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and will occupy approximately 64,000 square metres of space. A television studio for Quebecor, valued at approximately $40 million, will be constructed within the arena. On March 1, 2011 Quebecor purchased the naming rights and management of the arena.

This special event cost more than $350,000, $200,000 of which were paid by the sale of 20,000 shovels at $10 for a total of $200,000. The remainder of the event was paid by sponsors.

The arena project, whose construction is slated to begin in mid-September 2012, represents Quebec City’s desire to get back the Nordiques’ hockey team, who left for Colorado to become the Avalanche in 1995.

The progress made in Quebec City seems to please top NHL officials, namely Gary Bettman and Bill Daly. “It is apparent that the overall reaction in Quebec City to Mayor Labeaume’s plan for a new arena is very positive,” said Commissioner Gary Bettman in an e-mail to the Journal de Quebec, a local newspaper. “We will watch the process with interest.”


Gary Bettman is aware of the situation in Quebec City (Tom Turk/THW)
Daly added that a new arena would go a long way in helping Quebec City securing an NHL team. “We are encouraged by the Mayor’s announcement on the new arena and we believe it will be a very good thing for the City of Quebec,” he confirmed. “While there are no guarantees that an NHL franchise can return, certainly a new arena will enhance those prospects significantly.”

Quebec City is currently one of the few options for relocation, along with Hamilton, Seattle and Kansas City. The Phoenix Coyotes are currently on life support, with the city of Glendale still trying to conclude a deal with potential investor Greg Jamison.