PITTSBURGH — The opening of a planned arena for the Penguins could be delayed for up to a year, a setback in the $290 million deal that kept the team in Pittsburgh.

City and county authorities had planned groundbreaking for September and a move into the new arena in early 2009. But now they say the design stage has just begun, and the Penguins may not be able to move into their new home until 2010.

It could be months before officials complete the traffic study, planning phase, public comment period and set a maximum price for construction.

"We're just now sitting down with architects and trying to work out a realistic plan for the design of the building," Mary Conturo, executive director of the Sports & Exhibition Authority, told the a Pittsburgh newspaper. "The planning and design has to be done before we break ground."

Penguins spokesman Tom McMillan said team officials are not bothered by the delay.

"There's an obligation to the community here to do this the right way," McMillan said. "You can't get ahead of yourself. If you're not ready, then you don't do it to just hit a deadline."

Months of negotiations over the arena deal ended in March when Mario Lemieux, the Hall of Fame co-owner of the Penguins, announced that aging Mellon Arena, home to the Penguins for decades, would be replaced by a new facility.

Under the deal, the government agreed to waive upfront money from the team, while the Penguins will receive $10.5 million in compensation for delays. The sides also agreed to share responsibility for some cost overruns.