By Bob Moffitt
A new arena at the Railyards would bring as many as three
million visitors…and their money… to the region… according to
Sacramento's Downtown Partnership, Convention and Visitor's Bureau,
and Metro Chamber of Commerce. The three
groups say a new arena is essential…regardless of what the
Maloofs do.
At a joint news conference, Sac Metro Chamber President Matt
Mahoud said a new complex has to be a regional effort, though he
doesn't know what the final public share of the cost will be.
MATT MAHOUD: "Facilities throughout the country that have had ten percent public financing all the way up to 80 percent public financing. In Sacramento, given the size of the market, you may need up to that 60 to 70 percent."
Mahoud says the Chamber has already held one meeting with 15 regional chambers and was pleased with the preliminary level of support.