(Image source from: New downtown arena high on priority list})

The city of Phoenix will have a new arena in the near future, hopes Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. Mayor Greg Stanton said on Tuesday that Phoenix officials are seriously considering a new downtown Phoenix arena for the Suns and Arizona Coyotes to share. “We are in active discussions with various entities for a new arena in Phoenix,” Stanton told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Doug and Wolf.

“I think it will be an intense debate here in Phoenix for the next few years,” he said. “Talking Stick (then American West Arena) was built at the time, it wasn’t designed to facilitate hockey. We won’t make that mistake twice for an arena in downtown Phoenix.”

“I know when people think of (an arena), they assume it’s for the sports teams, but that’s not always the case. Talking Stick Resort is used 200 nights a year for concerts, festivals and other activities. “You need a competitive building to host all of those events, including sports events.”

By Premji