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An important milestone in the journey to the Downtown Event and Entertainment District will be discussed at the August 14^th Governance and Priorities Committee of Saskatoon City Council. The Committee will be discussing a private partner agreement framework for operating the new venues, which is a critical element intended to advance the Downtown Event and Entertainment District.

“We looked for a partner with the necessary experience and credentials that will not only fund and run a successful operation, but also values and understands the importance of social responsibility and leadership in our community,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services, Transportation and Construction. “The fact that we attracted the interest of a world-class expert in facility management reaffirms the potential and excitement that exists for a Downtown Event and Entertainment District in Saskatoon.”

The report sets out an agreement framework for a private operating partnership with OVG360, one of the world’s leading full-service facility management teams with over 300 client-partners that span arenas, stadiums, convention centres and performing arts centres globally. Between an initial upfront capital contribution and annual revenues to the City through an operating partnership with OVG360, the City projects $170 million in net cash flow over a 25-year agreement.  The agreement will also address important community benefits including maximizing economic opportunities for traditionally marginalized groups, employment that will work with existing employees and unions, and benefits for community non-profit events.

“We are thrilled to announce this long-term operating partnership with OVG360. With OVG360's extensive experience in managing premier facilities across North America, we are confident that their innovative approach will bring substantial financial benefits to our city which will help support the funding strategy for the new venues. Between this partnership and construction of these venues, we anticipate a significant elevation in the quality and variety of events coming to Saskatoon, attracting world-class entertainment, conventions, and cultural activities. This will not only enhance the vibrancy of our community but also drive economic growth and provide memorable experiences for our residents and visitors,” says Willems.

For more information on the Downtown Event and Entertainment District please visit saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.

The Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council will have the opportunity at its February 14th meeting to discuss the visionary opportunities of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District (District).  Included in a group of reports is a first look at the artistic renderings of what the area around the event centre/arena and convention centre could look like and the first look at the strategic directions for the District Plan outlining the template for a rejuvenated Downtown.

“These renderings really help illustrate that the District is much more than just an event centre and convention centre – it is to be a community gathering place in any season,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services, Transportation & Construction Division. “They show the potential of the public spaces, with places for events, amenities and open areas where visitors and people from all parts of the city can meet and share unique experiences.”

The visuals show what the proposed event centre/arena and convention centre could look like, with a focus along a transformed 22nd Street. Both winter and summer scenes are captured, showing the potential for winter festivals, outdoor markets and summer activities.

“This is an opportunity for people in Saskatoon to really see how the vision for the District could become reality,” Willems says. “Up until now we have been talking about the District in very abstract terms, but these images help put context and meaning to the idea of an active space that is open to all. These are by no means the final designs of the area, but they are a great to help visualize the conceptual design and potential in creating a vital and dynamic Downtown, with economic impacts that will have a positive effect on Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.”

The District Plan, which is being developed simultaneously along with the plans for the event centre/arena and convention centre, takes a wider view of Downtown Saskatoon and looks at how the land can be best used to achieve a vibrant mix of residential, business, social and outdoor activity, while making the Downtown more accessible for everyone to get to and get around in. The District Plan will also work to create a cohesive strategy for the Downtown as a whole, ensuring that the entire area develops in a sustainable and productive way.

Additionally in this group of reports to GPC is a Decision Report on acquiring the YMCA building and its associated land. This acquisition, while currently part of the larger District project, is part of the larger strategy to have a contiguous area of land with significant redevelopment potential to accommodate future expansion of the convention centre and a new parking structure in the area of Idylwyld and 22nd Street.

For more information on the Downtown Event and Entertainment District, including the renderings, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.

At its January 31 Regular Meeting, City Council approved a procurement approach for seeking a private partner for operations management of one or both of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District anchor facilities (event/centre arena and convention centre). This approach lays out how Requests for Proposal (RFP) for potential private partners will be evaluated to ensure anyone chosen meets the vision of the District and is committed to both financial success and Community Benefit outcomes.

“This approval allows us to now take the important step of issuing a request for proposal for a private partner, with a weighted approach that simultaneously help us attract a partner that will not only fund and run a successful operation, but also values and understands the importance of social responsibility and leadership in our community,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services, Transportation & Construction Division.

Following closure of the RFP process, negotiations will be undertaken with the preferred proponent to further refine details surrounding the various elements of their proposal and to determine financial implications of various options including programming and operations management of the public plaza, overall responsibility for future stages of project development and community benefit commitments. 

“The City has been working for several years on the vision of a safe and vibrant Downtown that supports a strong economy,” says Willems. “The potential and possibilities inherent in creating a vibrant District are becoming clearer as planning proceeds. We are taking a ‘shelf-ready’ approach so that if and when the funding model is approved, we are prepared to start working on the project in short order, providing benefits to Downtown in the near- not distant- future.”

More reporting and information on the District project is anticipated in February 2024, including:

• A conceptual design information report
• Convention Centre options decision report
• District Plan update

Project timelines and past decisions are available at www.saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.

Two information reports presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) at the December 12, 2023, regular meeting will serve to help develop the vision for what Downtown Saskatoon could look like with the establishment of a successful Downtown Event and Entertainment District.  

The first report examines the results of the Phase I Engagement of the project, outlining what respondents would like to see in the District and the wider Downtown to make the area more vibrant and livable.  

“Phase I Engagement was designed to ask the public what they would like to see for amenities and space improvements in the District,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services, Transportation & Construction Division. “We gathered feedback on what people appreciate about Downtown currently and what we could improve to make the area more welcoming and accessible. We took this information and are using it to help inform our upcoming plans, not only for the potential event centre/arena, but for the District as a whole.” 

The Phase I Engagement, which took place from April 17 to May 18, 2023, used a number of techniques including targeted stakeholder meetings, pop-up locations for on-the-street feedback, an engagement kit, and physical and online surveys, which received 3,134 respondents. Targeted engagement remains ongoing with Indigenous leaders, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and broader public engagement on the conceptual design is expected to take place in 2024. 

The second report analyzes the market context for future development of the area. The Downtown Market Analysis of Housing and Retail Demand was completed by the City’s Technical Advisor, Stantec. Stantec’s key takeaways include: 

• The housing market is strong, and the market analysis outlines targeting an additional 200 residential units per year in the Downtown. This looks to grow Downtown’s population to 10,000 within the next two decades.
• The impact of more Downtown residential development will support and strengthen businesses and organizations and make Downtown more livable as a vibrant community.
• Downtown has an existing character and energy that, together with its many amenities, create a supportive environment for redevelopment. 

“The analysis shows that Downtown housing growth can generate a significant increase in consumer spending in the Downtown area, creating a demand for additional retail and commercial development - that in turn supports the growing, thriving community,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.  “It helps illustrate that the Downtown Event and Entertainment District is not just about an event centre/arena, or a convention centre, but it is also about making Downtown Saskatoon a place where people live as well as work, an attractive and accessible place with an economic impact that goes far beyond the District’s boundary.” 

The next steps in the Journey to the District include concept plans for the event centre/arena, convention centre and public spaces to be presented to City Council in early 2024, including a report on the draft funding, and the first iteration of the District Plan, which will outline the vision for the greater Downtown area. For more information on the Journey to the District, please visit saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.  

As part of planning for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District, the City engaged KPMG LLP (KPMG) to conduct an in-depth report on potential non-property tax revenue instruments that could be implemented to help pay for the project. This analysis will be presented as an information report at the September 13, 2023, meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee.

“This report helps us understand the various options out there that will assist us in creating a financial plan with minimal impact on taxpayers,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. “It provides us with the data and information necessary to refine our projections and bring forth a draft funding plan.” 

Hack stresses any use of these instruments has not been approved by Council. The purpose of the report is to quantify any potential revenues for each instrument and to update Council and the public on the status of the work so far.

“There is much more to do, including extensive engagement with the province and industry groups, before any formal approvals are requested or received to implement any of these financial instruments,” Hack says.

Out of five non-property tax revenue instruments analyzed by KPMG, Administration has identified four options that warrant additional analysis:

• Accommodations Tax: A charge applied to short-term hotel, motel, hostel and online platform stays, as already exists in many Canadian municipalities.
• Facility Fee: A charge applied to event tickets, as is already in practice at SaskTel Centre and TCU Place.
• Tax-Increment Financing (TIF): A property tax revenue with a defined geographic boundary (i.e., the District), generally only used in areas of redevelopment.
• Parking Revenue from New Parking Structure: Net funding from the City-owned parking structure.

“These types of funding tools have been used successfully by many other municipalities, in Canada and other countries,” he says. “This is not re-inventing anything, rather it is looking at best-practices and what has worked elsewhere to create a made-in-Saskatchewan solution.”

The full scope and financial plan for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District has not been finalized and this KPMG analysis provides valuable information as a starting point to continue establishing full project cost estimates and funding requirements.

The full report, including the complete analysis by KPMG, can be found on the meeting agenda.

City Council is seeking individuals for appointment to the Downtown Event and Entertainment District Advisory Group. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 4.

The Advisory Group’s role is to foster connections between business and community partners, and the City Administration and City Council to support the successful implementation of a new event and entertainment district in Downtown Saskatoon.

The development of an animated Downtown event and entertainment district, anchored by a new Downtown arena and convention centre, will stimulate the economy and bring renewed energy and life to Saskatoon’s Downtown. Together, these two projects will provide public benefit to all residents of Saskatoon by creating a vibrant Downtown that is open, inviting, safe and accessible for all.

While the City of Saskatoon (City) will retain overall ownership of these new facilities and infrastructure once constructed, numerous key stakeholders, project partners, and sponsors will be integral in driving the successful development and delivery of the project.

The formation of the Advisory Group will reflect the diversity of the community and possess the preferred qualifications, attributes, and experience as a whole.

• Advisory Group meetings will be held quarterly, or at the call of the Chair.
• The duration of each meeting is subject to the contents of the agenda and ensuing discussion.
• Advisory Group members shall serve without receiving remuneration.

Interested applicants are asked to submit an application and résumé with two letters of reference by no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 4, 2022, using the Committee Application Form found online at saskatoon.ca/boards. All applications will be kept on file and reviewed throughout the year should further vacancies occur.

Note: Upon applying to this Board, your application/résumé/reference letters may be shared with current Board members as part of the review process.

Additional information on the Advisory Group is available on the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/boards. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 306-975-3240 or city.clerks@saskatoon.ca if you have any questions regarding the application process.

City Council is seeking five public members for appointment to the Downtown Event and Entertainment District Advisory Group.

This new Advisory Group’s role is to foster connections between business and community partners, and the City Administration and City Council to support the successful implementation of a new event and entertainment district in Downtown Saskatoon.

The development of an animated Downtown event and entertainment district, anchored by a new Downtown arena and convention centre, will stimulate the economy and bring renewed energy and life to Saskatoon’s Downtown. Together, these two projects will provide public benefit to all residents of Saskatoon by creating a vibrant Downtown that is open, inviting, safe and accessible for all. Advancing Downtown development is one of City Council's priorities over the next four years as detailed in the City's newly adopted 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

While the City of Saskatoon (City) will retain overall ownership of these new facilities and infrastructure once constructed, numerous key stakeholders, project partners, and sponsors will be integral in driving the successful development and delivery of the project.

The formation of the Advisory Group will reflect the diversity of the community and possess the preferred qualifications, attributes, and experience as a whole.

• Advisory Group meetings will be held quarterly, or at the call of the Chair.
• The duration of each meeting is subject to the contents of the agenda and ensuing discussion.
• Advisory Group members shall serve without receiving remuneration.
   

Interested applicants are asked to submit an application and résumé with two letters of reference by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022, using the Committee Application Form found online at saskatoon.ca/boards. All applications will be kept on file and reviewed throughout the year should further vacancies occur.

Note: Upon applying to this Board, your application/résumé/reference letters may be shared with current Board members as part of the review process.

Additional information on the Advisory Group is available on the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/boards. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 306-975-3240 or city.clerks@saskatoon.ca if you have any questions regarding the application process.