All the Canadian teams built there own rinks with no hand-outs, Ottawa even had to build the exit from the highway to get to the building. Do not know about all the U.S. cities but I do know Philly, Boston, Chicago, L.A., to name a few did actually build there own rinks.
Boston: Primarily from bank financing, Delaware North (25%), City bonds and land (10%) and 2% ticket surcharge.
LA: $58.5 million public money, remainder by the teams.
Philly: Private loans and contribution from Spectacor. City and state made contributions for infrastructure.
Chicago: Private (80% bank loans, 20% from building owners). City contributed some infrastructure costs.
Toronto: Creative Financing -- Which I'm assuming is private funds
Ottawa: Government loan; federal grant; private bank loans; luxury seat sales
Calgary: 100% publicly financed
Atlanta: $213 million
$130.75 million in revenue bonds to be paid from arena revenues; $20 million from Turner Broadcasting; and $62.5 million from 3% car rental tax.
Buffalo: $127.5 million ($72 million from private sources and $55 million from the combined resources of New York State, Erie County, and the City of Buffalo)
Florida: Broward County will finance $184.7 million, 2% tourism tax.
Carolina: $20 million by the Hurricanes, $22 million ($48 million financing by hotel tax) by Wake County and the City of Raleigh, $22 million by NC State, $18 million by State of North Carolina.
So not all of you listed are privately fianced, while some are. Most in the NHL or not. I'm just saying it's not likely for an owner to come to town and just put down 290 million for an arena. Can it happen? Sure....but it's not likely.
Heck most of the newer buildings at least in the states were all publicy financed in someway or another.