Saskatoon to release new arena and convention centre concept, funding timelines

In the next few months, more information will become available on what a new Saskatoon arena and convention centre could look like, and a plan on how to pay for it all.

During Wednesday’s Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, city councillors are to mull over a report from administration that outlines the timing for arena project milestones over the next nine months.

According to the timeline, a preliminary concept design will be published sometime in July or August, along with information on when the first round of public consultations will occur, and ideas on how to pay for it all.

“It is anticipated the funding strategy will include grant funding requests to the Province of Saskatchewan and Government of Canada,” read the report.

By September, another report is expected on whether there should be sub-projects included in the overall plans.

A final concept design should be released by November, in time for the city’s next two-year budget deliberations. It could include information like what the area street-scaping will look like, transportation and infrastructure plans, and a cost breakdown.

According to the information, “should City Council approve a conceptual design and funding plan, for all intents and purposes, City Council will have decided to proceed with the project provided the funding plan can be achieved.”

Detailed construction information and a more specific breakdown of the November report are expected in the first three months of 2024.

The future of SaskTel Centre, including whether to sell the building, demolish it or repurpose it, could be deferred to 2025.

More information on the timelines and project milestones can be found here.

(City of Saskatoon/Submitted)