Report outlines arena/event centre locations & public engagement plan

If City Council approves a plan to consider two feasible sites for a future Downtown event centre/arena, the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback through a process of public engagement that would begin in the coming days.

A report will be presented to the August 29 meeting of City Council outlining a detailed technical study of potential Downtown locations for a new event centre/arena, which will become one of the key anchors of the future Downtown Event & Entertainment District.

Five different site options for the Downtown event centre/arena were initially studied to determine if they were a suitable size for a modern event facility, with a capacity comparable to the existing SaskTel Centre. Sites determined to be too small were eliminated from further consideration, while the remaining sites were ranked in accordance with nine evaluation criteria. After thoroughly studying the evaluation criteria, two sites are considered viable options:

• Site A – Midtown Shopping Centre North Parking Lot
• Site B – North Downtown/City Yards

Public engagement on the two locations was not possible until one of the sites was available following lengthy real estate discussions. The Council report includes an engagement plan for approval.

“Based on the technical criteria, the Midtown location is the highest scoring site and affirmed by two external consultants,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.

“The public engagement will be an opportunity to hear from residents, businesses and other community partners on the opportunities and challenges of both potential sites. The public feedback, along with the technical rankings, will give City Council the information it needs to make the final decision on the event centre/arena location.”

From August 30 to October 3 the City will seek public input in several ways:

August 30 to September 5:

• A representative sample survey (that includes a telephone and online panel survey) for Saskatoon residents.

September 13 to October 3:

• An opt-in online public survey (Saskatoon residents, as well as those from other communities, can self-select to participate);
• An opt-in survey for local businesses and organizations; and
• Intercept surveys to hear from residents across Saskatoon.

This engagement method reflects the “consult level” of the International Association for Public Participation using a qualitative approach. Results will be shared publicly and presented to City Council in November to be considered as part of the final decision on the location for the future event centre/arena site.

“Since 2018, when City Council decided a future event centre/arena should be located Downtown, a lot of research, consideration and effort has gotten us to this point,” Willems says. “The goal evolved beyond the need for a new event centre/arena to envision a revitalized Downtown that is welcoming for everyone to work, play and live.”

The event centre/arena site, along with the convention centre, will act as an anchor for the rest of the District development. The future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will connect the District to the entire city, boosting revitalization of the Downtown area.

 “The vision of an event and entertainment district is one of a shared public space where everyone feels comfortable and welcome,” he says.

The area would be developed sustainably with Indigenous placemaking a focus. By offering residents and visitors a gathering place for entertainment and events, with a variety of restaurants, venues, shopping and nightlife, Saskatoon’s Downtown will become an economic driver for the city and the province.

“The creation of a successful District will have significant benefits for Saskatoon — a new Downtown event centre/arena, a new or enhanced convention centre, and the future BRT are the key public infrastructure investments that will drive further investment in the Downtown area, in Saskatoon and in Saskatchewan.”

The report being considered by City Council can be found at saskatoon.ca/agendas. If approved, more information will be made available starting Tuesday, August 30 on saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.