Gatineau's new arena gets green light from province

The Quebec government has given its approval to a new arena to replace Gatineau'saging Robert GuertinCentre.

Gatineaucity council gave its go-ahead last February for a new arena onBoulevard de la Cit, about seven kilometres northeast of the current rink in downtown Hull, but needed the province's sign-offbecause the proposed site is considered protected wetland under provincial law.

Gatineaupaid the province $675,000 to transfer jurisdiction over the proposed site to the city.

GatineauMayorMaxime Pedneaud-Jobinassured city council Tuesday night that the project, which has been plagued by delays,is finally moving forward.

"The project is progressing well, with fewer obstacles," Pedneaud-Jobin said in French.

Vision Multisports Outaouais(VMSO), whichisoverseeing the$104-million project, hasnot said when constructionwillbeginnow the province has granted its approval.

VMSOpresidentAlain Sanscartiersaid it'sstill premature to set a date for shovels in the ground.

"When the time is right we can decide on potential start date," he said in French.

The provincialapproval allows VMSO to begin seeking bids for the construction of the new arena.

The arena will bethe new home of the GatineauOlympiques.