From Twitter:
jamesmac44: update from @bill_watters on the #NHL sized arena for Markham. Another source confirms it'll be at HWY407 and Kennedy. NHL knows about it
If this is real, Markham Centre is the only location that would make sense. If GO added game night train service, this would actually be pretty accessible by transit for downtowners, especially as you could also get there via VIVA from Finch and Don Mills (if they add game night service to VIVA Green. Pink service could also be run on game nights).
Also, it's interesting that concillors are being told not to discuss this:
NHL in Markham?
Spokesperson insists radio report is 'old news'
No NHL franchise is looking to come to Markham, at least not officially.
Following a report yesterday from 640 News that a new 19,500-seat arena is heading to the Markham Road and Hwy. 407 area alongside a retail mall and hotel, a town spokesperson put a lid on talk that the NHL may house a franchise in Markham’s east end.
Dennis Flaherty, the town’s director of communications, called the news “kind of oldâ€.
He said Markham council has had discussions about building an NHL-size arena as far back as two years ago, mostly in relation to projects like the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, the Commonwealth Games, the Pan Am Games and the Markham Live project.
All of the projects would be located in Markham Centre, by Hwy. 407 and Kennedy Road in Unionville.
Mr. Flaherty said there are no proposals of this kind in the Markham Road and Hwy. 407 area and called the 640 News report speculation.
“We have received no official proposal whatsoever in relation to a project of that nature,†he said. “If we had an announcement to make about this, trust me, I’ll not be able to hold the mayor back.â€
Mr. Flaherty said if an official proposal about an NHL franchise were to come forward, council would consider it based on its merits, like all applications.
Meanwhile, it appears a gag order has been put on councillors not to talk about the arena as reported by 640 News.
When reached by phone, both Deputy Mayor Jack Heath and Councillor Don Hamilton said they’ve been told they could not talk about it. Both said they were told to refer all calls relating to the matter to Mr. Flaherty.
The radio report suggested the area being considered in Markham is outside the 75 mile boundary of Buffalo, meaning the only team that would have to compensated for territorial infringement would be the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Talk of movement of struggling U.S.-based NHL franchises has been renewed in recent months with word the Atlanta team is set to relocate to Winnipeg.