Plan B is almost ready to go.

Gov. Ed Rendell said yesterday he would unveil his long-awaited plan to fund a new arena and keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

He will meet with National Hockey League officials in advance of the announcement to provide them with the proposal.

During an impromptu news conference, Mr. Rendell refused to discuss any details of the plan. "See me Thursday," he said repeatedly.

Whatever form it takes, the governor's plan is expected to feature a mix of private and taxpayer financing, including at least a portion of $90 million in state capital money previously earmarked for a new arena.

Other possible sources include naming rights, seat licenses and Allegheny Regional Asset District funds now earmarked to pay debt service for Mellon Arena. Mr. Rendell in the past also has floated the idea of collecting a parking surcharge at the arena.

The regional asset district now provides $2.4 million a year toward Mellon Arena debt service. That drops to $1 million next year, potentially freeing up some revenue to help support a new facility.

Asked yesterday if the Penguins would have to put up a substantial amount of money to build an arena under his plan, Mr. Rendell replied, "No, not a substantial amount."

He refused to say how much, if any, taxpayer money would be involved. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, who said he and Mr. Rendell had talked in general terms about Plan B, said he was hoping any taxpayer investment would be small.

"My perspective is that it is probably minimal, if any," he said.

Mr. Rendell said he believes the plan is good enough to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh even if Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. doesn't win the state license for the city's slot machine casino. Isle of Capri, in partnership with the Penguins, has pledged $290 million toward construction of an arena.

"Obviously, if they get the casino license they're committed to stay. But we think this Plan B is going to be good enough that it will cause them to stay here in any event," Mr. Rendell said.

He said the plan was crafted in consultation with Mr. Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor. Mr. Onorato has said in the past he does not see how any plan to fund an arena could be put together without at least some slots revenue, a view he reiterated yesterday.

"The concept is still clear -- I think gaming is going to be part of any proposal, and we'll work out the details up until next Thursday," he said.

He added there is no city or county money available to help with funding.

Mr. Onorato has called on the two competitors for the Pittsburgh slots license -- Forest City Enterprises and PITG Gaming LLC -- to step forward with their own plans to fund an arena should they win the license.

Neither has done so to date, but Mr. Onorato remained optimistic yesterday that each would step forward. The governor has refused to go as far in pressuring the applicants, though he has said he would like to see them donate at least a portion of their revenues to an arena.

The team's lease at Mellon Arena expires on June 30, 2007. It has the right to begin talks with other cities this summer about relocating. The slots license probably won't be awarded until December at the earliest.

"In case they don't get the license we want to have a viable plan that they can accept," the governor said.

Asked whether he would try to stop a sale and relocation before the arena issue was resolved, Mr. Rendell replied, "I have to look at the law, but sure, I think Pittsburgh deserves a major league hockey team."

The Pittsburgh-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority last advanced a plan to fund an arena in 2002. It included a higher allotment of RAD funds, $90 million from the state, and $108 million in private funds, including the sale of naming rights for the new building and ticket surcharges. The plan got little support, however.

At the time, the Penguins were looking for a deal similar to what the Pirates got at PNC Park. The Pirates provided $48 million of the $260 million cost, with taxpayers picking up the rest.

The team yesterday said the best plan currently is on the table.

"No matter what plan anyone comes up with, the Isle of Capri plan is the best one for the region. It provides an arena at no cost to the taxpayers and frees up any other money that otherwise might be targeted for a new arena for other projects," spokesman Tom McMillan said.