2010 Consultation Summary

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.