Saskatoon arena event cost estimated $32,000, including pricey dessert

The City of Saskatoon’s proposed arena will be a costly project, and an event promoting the project came with a hefty price tag as well.

On Feb. 8, the city held an event to unveil more design concepts for the proposed arena and event district in the city’s downtown core. While the images shared at the event don’t represent the final designs for the project, the city said they were being shared to help illustrate the plan for the space.

One of the design renders shared at the city’s event last week. (City of Saskatoon/Submitted)

The event at TCU Place came with an estimated price tag of $32,000.

The promotional event – which had around 365 invitees – featured a sizable custom cake emblazoned with “Journey to the District” and a confection model of the proposed arena.

According to the city, the cake was purchased from a local bakery at a cost of $1,881, plus taxes and a delivery charge. The city didn’t pay that amount, however, as TCU only billed the city $1,500 plus taxes for the event’s catering.

“Instead of passing the cost of the cake to the City, TCU Place invoiced the City only for approximately what it would have cost to provide croissants with butter and preserves, coffee, pop/water and servers,” the city noted.

“The City is thankful to TCU Place for their partnership and ongoing support of the project.”

The leftovers from the cake were donated to EGADZ, a local street outreach organization.

Attendees were also given sets of branded cardboard goggles that can hold a smartphone to give users a virtual-reality glimpse at the proposed project. The city said the goggles came in at $10.15 apiece, plus taxes and shipping.

The city noted that the goggles will be handed out at future events as well, and said many people took them home or to their workplaces after the event to share the project with others. The goggles are currently available at both TCU and City Hall, and more locations could be added later.

Cardboard goggles letting users have a VR glimpse at the arena project were given out at the event. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

Other significant costs for the event included security, the room rental, and the audio-visual components, the city noted. The city further noted that the cost figures could change slightly after it receives the final invoice for the event from TCU.

The costs will be shared among several organizations.

“The entire cost of this event will be paid from the $6.662 million capital project, established in the 2022/2023 budget, the objective of which is to develop a conceptual design and funding strategy for a future Downtown Entertainment District,” the city explained in a statement.

“This project was jointly funded by TCU Place ($2.7 million), SaskTel Centre ($2.7 million), and the City of Saskatoon ($1.262 million).”

The city said the event could help bring in money to pay for the project.

“This is one of the most significant projects the City has undertaken and events like this help generate excitement for both the community and potential funding partners such as the other levels of government,” the city explained.

A study completed by the city’s chamber of commerce last year said the arena and entertainment district could bring a $1.37-billion boost to the city’s economy over the next decade.

Meanwhile, the City of Saskatoon is seeking quotes for a financial audit review after posting operating budget deficits for the past several years.