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The Jet's need a bigger arena - when MTS Center was first proposed, I believe Glen Murray was the mayor, and he wanted to reinvigorate the downtown area. It was thought at the time that Winnipeg would never get an NHL team back in this city, as it was to small a market. The dollar was trading at 60 cents vs the US dollar, and many people did not think Winnipeg could afford an NHL franchise. All salaries for players are negotiated and paid out in US dollars.
I thought differently, and thought when the dollar bounces back up,(and it did) and when the province and City started to grow, that Winnipeg would be able to do this. Many other people thought the same-- and it came to be that the Chipman group made it happen.
So now the Jets are stuck with an arena that holds about 15,000 people, and they really need an arena that will hold 20,000 --in order to compete with other cities. Those "extra" 5,000 seats would bring in a lot more money, that will be needed to pay players as the Cap rises. I think this will have to be done, and also think the Jet's could pretty much fill a 18,000 to 20,000 seat arena.
I'd like to see a 20,000 seat arena built for the Jets-"would cost a lot of money"- but it would be good for many years, and accommodate growth as well. I believe the Jet's have sold out this 15,000 seat arena for the last 6-7 years--so I don't see a problem in filling a 20,000 seat arena.
I believe that Thomson and the Chipman's could make this happen !!!