Arena deal keeps Penguins in Pittsburgh
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh Penguins have reached an agreement with state and local officials for construction of a new arena that will keep the team here under a 30-year lease.

The basics of the agreement were reached in a make-or-break meeting last week in Philadelphia, where both sides reported that significant progress was made. Most remaining details were worked out over the weekend, according to sources close to the negotiations.

A formal announcement will be made later today, prior to the Penguins 7:30 p.m. home game against the Buffalo Sabres. Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to be on hand for the announcement.

The arena, which will cost about $290 million, is expected to be ready for the 2009-2010 National Hockey League season. The Penguins will continue to play at Mellon Arena under a short-term lease extension until the new arena is built....  Read More

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LET ONORATO, RENDELL  AND RAVENSTAHL HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT THE LATEST NEWS!!

Call Ed Rendell at 717-787-2500

Call Dan Onorato at 412-350-6500

Call Ravenstahl at 412-255-2626

Call them often let them know you want this arena deal done and done now.  Enough screwing around, enough posturing, enough playing around with Mario and the Pens fans.

WE'VE WAITED 8 YEARS!! GET IT DONE!!!

 

All of us here at SlotsforMario.com would like to thank the almost 38,000 people who signed the petition since it was introduced July 1, 2004.  I'm sure the 50 pound box of signatures and the 6 inch stack of signatures we presented to the Gaming Control Board did not go unnoticed. We only wish it would have resulted in the Isle of Capri being awarded the slots license.

Thanks to all of you who sent emails and letters, wrote letters to the editor, made phone calls, showed up at the rallies and especially to those who spread the word about the Slots for Mario petition. Public input was a huge part of this process and we thank you for your support.

Thank you all.
Sam and Mike

"I've never heard of a government turning down 290 million dollars in private money to build a public facility. It's unheard of."   

Mario Lemieux 12/18/06

"Well now we've witnessed it! Only in Pennsylvania!"

Mike Mooney 12/20/06

Sign up for our mailing list to ensure that you get information on what is happening with the application process as soon as it is availlable. We'll also let you know what more you can do to help ensure the Isle of Capri is awarded the Pittsburgh area slots license and to help KEEP THE PENGUINS IN PITTSBURGH.   

Thanks,

Mike and Sam

Overview
For years, the Penguins for have been trying to work with the city; county and state to have a new arena built. When the team was brought out of bankruptcy the Penguins were promised a new arena and that promise has been unfulfilled.

There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the poor fiscal condition of our local government. That is why we think the recently passed legislation to legalize slots gaming in Pittsburgh provides a unique opportunity to fund the construction of a new arena with the profits from the slots gaming. If someone is going to get a slots license in Pittsburgh and 48 percent of the revenue from slots will go into the pocket of whoever gets the license, then why not take a large piece of that profit and put it back into the community by building a new arena.

If the Isle of Capri get the license, we can keep the penguins in Pittsburgh, build the community a new, state-of-the art arena for hockey, concerts, circuses, and shows, and open up the 28 acres of land the current arena sits on for redevelopment.

Its time for a call to action!
Here are some steps YOU can take to help make a difference.

We have compiled a list of names, phone numbers and contact information for elected leaders in the region.  Please call, e-mail, and write to voice your support.

1. Attend Upcoming Meetings and Voice Your Thoughts
   
2. Contact Your Allegheny County Officials
   
3. Contact Your City of Pittsburgh Officials
   
4. Contact Your PA  House of Representatives
   
5. Contact Your PA State Senators
   
6. Request to Comment at a County Council Meeting
   
7. Sign The Petition Now!

• It would build a new arena wholly or in part with private funds, instead of taxpayer money;
• It would allow the Penguins to remain a viable NHL franchise in Pittsburgh;
• A new arena can serve as a venue for several other organizations besides the Penguins; and
• It would ensure that the proceeds from the slots remain in this region, where they belong.

Please take a minute to sign the petition and show Governor Rendell and the Gaming Control Board that the people of Pittsburgh and the hockey world support this initiative and believe it is a viable idea. You may enter any comments you wish in the space provided. This petition and all signatures will be forwarded to Governor Rendell and the Gaming Control Board.

Sincerely,
Sam Menchyk, Butler, PA
Mike Mooney, Pittsburgh, PA