Downtown Arena Timelines

2011

City Council agreed on October 26 to move ahead with the design of a new downtown arena and approved a revised negotiated framework for the project. The table below outlines the projected timeline for the next steps in the development of the arena. 

Decision Point

Estimated Timing

Council approval of land purchase October 14, 2011
Council approval of revised framework October 26, 2011
Council approval of capital project for design at cost of $30 million October 26, 2011
Council approval of Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy boundary October 26, 2011
Council approval of borrowing bylaws for land and design November 9, 2011
Council approval of schematic design 2nd quarter, 2012
Council approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price November 2012
Council approval of capital projects for arena building and adjacent infrastructure November 2012
Council approval of borrowing bylaw for arena project November 2012
Borrowing for arena project Based on construction schedule

October

October 26

  • City Council agreed to move ahead with the design of a new downtown arena and approved a revised negotiated framework  for the project.

October 14 

  • City Council voted to move ahead with plans to purchase the land proposed as the site for construction of a new downtown arena.

May

May 18

  • City Council approves an agreement framework between the City and the Katz Group to build a new downtown arena. The terms of the framework will form the basis for the city and the Katz Group to negotiate a formal Master Agreement.

April

  • City administration presented its latest series of reports to Council. The reports provided updates on downtown revitalization, community benefits and engagement options, governance and alternative funding methods.

  • City Council directed City administration to negotiate a financial framework for a downtown City-owned sports and entertainment facility with the Katz Group, based on a series of terms and conditions. 

March

  • City administration provides a further update to City Council providing additional information on funding options, including a Community Revitalization Levy, and other aspects of the proposed arena project.
    Read the minutes of the March 2, 2011 meeting. 

January

January 18
  • Public Hearing on Zoning Bylaw held – zoning bylaws approved, but will not go into effect until Council approves a land deal.
    Read the minutes of the January 18, 2011 meeting
January 17
  • Administration provides update to Council
    o Results of Public Consultation released showing 59 per cent support for arena when all factors (i.e. cost, benefits, risks, etc.) are considered
    o Update on progress in other areas including Community Benefits, Governance Model, Financing Models, etc.
  • Council provides direction to administration to enter into negotiations with the Katz Group on a framework agreement.
    Read the minutes of the January 17, 2011 meeting

2010

November-December

  • Public consultations – open houses and discussion sessions, meetings with key stakeholders, an on-line questionnaire, and a telephone survey – are completed. (November and December)
  • City Council meets:
    o City administration provides update to Council
    o Northlands presents its response to the proposal and Council’s questions. (December)

October

July

  • Administration reports to Council on July 21, providing information about a potential sports and entertainment facility. Read the July 21, 2010 meeting minutes. 
  • The Katz Group makes formal presentation to City Council on proposed downtown arena and entertainment district. (July)
  • Council directs administration to begin researching the issue and provides a series of questions to be answered

April

  • The Katz Group submits zoning and other applications to the City of Edmonton to rezone land (north of 104 Avenue and west of 101 Street) to support a potential sports-entertainment district downtown

2009

  • Discussions continue about a proposed new arena

2008

  • Mayor’s committee presents City Shaping report to Council – recommends that Edmonton is at a crossroads of need and opportunity and any new facility needs to be downtown. A summary report was also presented to Council.
  • “The greatest opportunity for Edmonton lies in developing a new facility that will revitalize our downtown and add to the excitement that is just starting to build in our core.”
    (Page 3 of City Shaping report)

2007

  • Mayor announces committee to evaluate feasibility and potential of new sports and entertainment facility
  • Edmonton Northlands commissions study by HOK Sports that estimates the cost of modernizing Rexall Place at about $250 million
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