Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Oilers getting fancy, new downtown arena

Entire project comes with $601-M price tag

By: Dean Bennett

Posted: 01/24/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 01/24/2013 10:57 AM | Updates

An artist's rendition of a proposed arena for Edmonton is shown in a handout. (HANDOUT / THE CANADIAN PRESS / CITY OF EDMONTON)

Related Items

Articles
- Record numbers at NHL rinks and in ratings following lockout
Columns
- 'Let's keep things in perspective,' Noel says

Enlarge Image

Images of the proposed arena for downtown Edmonton feature a futuristic building of steel and glass shaped like a lop-sided boomerang. (HANDOUT / THE CANADIAN PRESS / CITY OF EDMONTON)

EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers are getting a new downtown arena.

The NHL team and city councillors agreed Wednesday to resurrect a previous deal that collapsed three months ago when Oilers owner Daryl Katz demanded $6 million more a year from taxpayers.

Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel says the new deal is airtight.

"It's 100 per cent. A deal is done. Council has approved it. All the other stuff is just going through some steps," Mandel told reporters after the 10-3 decision by councillors.

"I'm absolutely confident that we will go ahead, and at some point in time all of us will go to a new arena with great pride.

"It will be the nicest, most dynamic arena you've ever been to."

Katz was not at the decisive council meeting, but his negotiator, John Karvellas, said his boss recognized the negotiating logjam had to be smashed.

"We were at the end of the line," Karvellas told reporters. "It was time that we needed to conclude a deal and I think Daryl felt exactly the same way.

"I made the comment to him that we're not going to have any more chances. If we're going to make a deal with the city we have to bring it home, and I think he made some very significant compromises."

Katz dropped the demand for the extra $6 million a year and a demand that the city break its tendering policy and move its staff into a proposed new Katz office tower beside the rink.

In return, city councillors agreed that taxpayers, instead of the Oilers, will be on the hook for major repairs and renos at the $480-million facility.

That's a $30 million boost from the original price tag of $450 million. When surrounding infrastructure is factored in, the bill for the entire project is to reach $601 million.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 24, 2013 D2

History

Updated on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:57 AM CST: adds images of arena

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Latest News

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.