Construction of ice arena must be launched by September 2003 - Fasel
If construction of the new ice hockey arena is not actually launched in Riga by September of 2003, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will officially decide on holding the 2006 ice hockey championship in another country, most believably in Russia, IIHF President Rene Fasel says in an interview in the newspaper "Dienas Bizness" (DB). The issue will actually be resolved faster, evaluating how formalities for construction of the arena are being settled.
If construction of the new ice hockey arena is not actually launched in Riga by September of 2003, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will officially decide on holding the 2006 ice hockey championship in another country, most believably in Russia, IIHF President Rene Fasel says in an interview in the newspaper "Dienas Bizness" (DB). The issue will actually be resolved faster, evaluating how formalities for construction of the arena are being settled.
As Fasel told the paper, Latvian Ice Hockey Federation (LHF) President Kirovs Lipmans must persuade IIHF during his pending visit early next week that problems with construction of the arena would be solved so that construction could be launched in summer of 2003.
If there is ambiguity about the course of construction of the arena in the near future, the championship could possibly not be held in Riga in 2006. Russia was already mentioned as an alternative for hosting the championship.
If Latvia does not lose the rights to host the championship, the government could designate Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers to become acquainted with issues concerning the implementation of the project and offer alternatives for resolving problems, DB was told by Dans Titavs, aide to Prime Minister Einars Repse.
As Lipmans said yesterday in an interview on Latvian State Television, the ice hockey championship "will be held in Latvia in any case", regardless whether a "contract with "Multihalle Ltd." is signed or not".
Yesterday Lipmans confirmed to LETA that "Multihalle" had promised to sign the contract on Tuesday.
Yesterday, "Multihalle Ltd." shareholders' decided not to sign a contract on construction of the arena with LHF, which had signed the contract already on November 7. The company had resolved to work out its alternative and yesterday handed it in to LHF.
"Multihalle" Executive Director Vilnis Baltins pointed out that lawyers have worked out the project of the contract and negotiations are under way between the company and LHF on contract details.
Baltins admitted that certain items have been worked in the contract taking into account objections from LHF.
As reported, the contract between the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation and the companies was to be signed initially by October 1 so that construction of the ice hockey arena begins on time, and the complex's cornerstone can be laid no later than May 1, 2003.
LETA LETA
Copyright © LETA
As Fasel told the paper, Latvian Ice Hockey Federation (LHF) President Kirovs Lipmans must persuade IIHF during his pending visit early next week that problems with construction of the arena would be solved so that construction could be launched in summer of 2003.
If there is ambiguity about the course of construction of the arena in the near future, the championship could possibly not be held in Riga in 2006. Russia was already mentioned as an alternative for hosting the championship.
If Latvia does not lose the rights to host the championship, the government could designate Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers to become acquainted with issues concerning the implementation of the project and offer alternatives for resolving problems, DB was told by Dans Titavs, aide to Prime Minister Einars Repse.
As Lipmans said yesterday in an interview on Latvian State Television, the ice hockey championship "will be held in Latvia in any case", regardless whether a "contract with "Multihalle Ltd." is signed or not".
Yesterday Lipmans confirmed to LETA that "Multihalle" had promised to sign the contract on Tuesday.
Yesterday, "Multihalle Ltd." shareholders' decided not to sign a contract on construction of the arena with LHF, which had signed the contract already on November 7. The company had resolved to work out its alternative and yesterday handed it in to LHF.
"Multihalle" Executive Director Vilnis Baltins pointed out that lawyers have worked out the project of the contract and negotiations are under way between the company and LHF on contract details.
Baltins admitted that certain items have been worked in the contract taking into account objections from LHF.
As reported, the contract between the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation and the companies was to be signed initially by October 1 so that construction of the ice hockey arena begins on time, and the complex's cornerstone can be laid no later than May 1, 2003.
LETA LETA
Copyright © LETA
