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The Calgary Flames are “getting close” to choosing among three or four potential arena locations but hasn’t yet determined its financing proposal, said the chairman of the hockey club’s ownership group.

Murray Edwards, a billionaire oilpatch and ski resorts investor, spoke out on the team’s long-simmering plans to replace Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday, days after the Herald reported on some of the Flames’ options and extent of Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s reluctance to assist with the process or funding.

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There’s no preferred site yet, said Edwards.

“We’ve been looking at options for both new buildings and new sites. We haven’t finalized on anything but we’re getting close and what we’re trying to understand is what works as the best model that works for the province, works for the city and works for the teams,” he told reporters at a business forum in Lake Louise.

“And when I say that, I don’t mean that in the context of the financial support or contributions. We haven’t got to that model, but the concept of something that’s an iconic building for the province, an iconic building for the city, something that’s a gathering place. You know, arenas in cities are gathering places, where people gather for pro sports or concerts or conventions.”