As the hand wringing continues about Glendale’s investment in sports facilities there is an untold story of how the first domino in the form of a hockey arena might never have come to be. 
It’s a fascinating tale and one that would have taken a slice of Valley history through a different sliding door.
Following not one but two landslide elections in favor of locating an arena at Scottsdale and McDowell Roads voters probably expected their City Council to implement their wishes. It was not to be with a disrespectful, divided council.
The situation created a fork in the road for the Phoenix Coyotes. Stick it out in Scottsdale or explore other options in other cities.
Long before the long-shot overture of Glendale arrived Tempe was the first choice. As envisioned ASU basketball would fuse with the Coyotes into a sparkling new arena in close proximity to Town Lake. Meetings took place with top university and Tempe officials.
The deal would have been complicated, which made Glendale’s eventual offer of big money and generous entitlements attractive.
And the rest they say . . . is history.
Spring training and football stadiums would never have come to Glendale if not for the arena. So when the Glendale haters keep looking to blame someone, blame Scottsdale. Or Tempe.