The public consultation in 2010 sought input on:
- The concept of a Downtown Arena and Entertainment facility
- The funding model for a Downtown Arena and Entertainment facility
- The impact of a Downtown Arena and Entertainment facility
Feedback was received through an online questionnaire, open houses, invited stakeholder sessions, and a statistically valid telephone survey.
Awareness/Importance:
- Awareness of the discussion around a new arena is very high. 96% of respondents had heard of it.
- 68% believe it will revitalize downtown
Overall support:
- 59% support building an arena
- Majority of people (67%) either agree or strongly agree that public money could be used as long as it does not raise property taxes or reallocate infrastructure funds
82% cited perceived benefits including (most mentions):
- Economic benefits/more tax revenue (25%)
- Downtown revitalization (17%)
- Increased tourism (15%)
Funding:
- 56% support a mix of public/private funding
- User-pay models are the most popular funding options (76%)
- 53% strongly or somewhat disagree with the CRL concept, while 41% strongly or somewhat support
- People are strongly in favour of a public/private agreement on financial risks and benefits.
Assurances:
People want to see some assurances if the City is to invest in this project. Those include discussions on:
- How the local community will be consulted
- How financial risk will be shared
- A location agreement for the Oilers
- The plan for Rexall Place
- Public investment into arena, but not retail
Specifics of telephone survey:
- In the field from December 20 – 23, 2010.
- 800 randomly selected adults in Edmonton.
- Representative sample. Data weighted to reflect accurate gender balance.
- Considered accurate to +/-3.5%, 19 times out of 20.
