The ongoing new arena saga for the Calgary Flames has taken another turn. On Tuesday afternoon Calgary City Council voted to formally re-engage with the Flames on the possibility of building a new arena in Victoria Park.

So what does this mean?

The Event Centre Assessment Committee (and Council as a whole) approved Terms of Reference for any negotiations, with the majority of them linking up thematically with the ongoing work the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation has been doing on planning for an Events and Cultural District.

The approval to rekindle talks is Council agreeing to have the committee formally speak with the Flames and see if their dreams for a new arena fit with the City’s plans for an Events and Cultural District. If there is a philosophical match there, then you would imagine talks would begin to progress towards more substantial matters.

It’s a small step, but it could end up being an important one.