Public information session calls city-centre arenas growing North America trend

Centralized entertainment districts are becoming a growing trend in North American cities.

That information was presented by the City of Saskatoon’s technical advisor on the downtown event and entertainment district — Stantec — at the Roxy Theatre on Tuesday night in Saskatoon.

Simon O’Byrne, Stantec senior vice president of community development, said arenas and similar gathering places have always been the centre of a city or town. Throughout history, he said this has been shown through examples of colosseums, theatres and other arenas.

“We saw a suburban arena development trend in the last half of the twentieth century that did not support the area in a larger way. That has reversed with downtowns again benefiting from more animation, amenities and both population and business growth,” O’Byrne said, according to a news release about the meeting.

Saskatoon’s future arena is also proposed to be built in the city’s central downtown area.

Stantec has partnered with other engineering companies, including HOK and LMN, who have worked on other entertainment district designs like Rogers Place and Edmonton’s ICE District, the Calgary BMO Centre Expansion and the Seattle Convention Centre.

Dan Willems, director of technical services, said the company is “confident the expertise we have retianed will keep us moving toward a successful project.

“Developments like the one we’re planning will help rejuvenate downtown and other traditional business areas, creating jobs and opportunities.”

Ward 6 city councillor, Cynthia Block, said the arena will broaden the perspective of downtown development in Saskatoon.

Block is also co-chair fothe advisory committee on the downtown event and entertainment district.

She said the new arena will be a Saskatoon destination and one that draws others throughout Saskatchewan and beyond to the city.

“It is also a strategic plan to drive density to the core and help Saskatoon become a more efficient city,” she said.

Work on a more detailed design for the project is being done while the city continues to seek a private partner for the project. The city is also still reportedly looking into how to prevent raising property taxes to fund the project.