Parking, hotels and space: How Saskatoon city council will pick a downtown arena site
Saskatoon City Council has approved the criteria to be used in selecting a site for a downtown arena and convention centre.
"This is going to be a big discussion," Mayor Charlie Clark said at Tuesday's council meeting.
"I think having a transparent process to lay that out and to find the best ways to work with the community, given the timelines we have and the summer, it's going to be really critical that we're as clear as we can with the public and creative in how we engage with them and ensure people understand the direction we're heading and can weigh in on what they believe is going to be necessary to make this as successful as possible."
The city hired two external advisory firms to gain insight into design and technical considerations, according to an administration report to council.
Administration then landed on a list of criteria to rank site options:
- Available land area to support a new arena and supporting infrastructure
- Strength of the transportation network to support an arena facility
- Opportunity for influencing adjacent development/infill and alignment with city plans and long-term vision for the downtown
- Distance from an updated convention centre or potential new convention centre, which would be adjacent to TCU Place
- Proximity to existing hotels, entertainment establishments and businesses
- Potential effect on residential areas and properties
- Proximity to future Bus Rapid Transit stations
- Proximity to existing parking facilities
- Projected site servicing and development costs
Each arena site option will be assessed on whether it would be big enough for a modern 15,000-seat bowl capacity arena, the report says. Those determined to be too small would be eliminated from further consideration. The remaining sites would be ranked in accordance with the evaluation criteria.
The results of this evaluation process will be included in the information presented to the public as part of the engagement process set to start in July.
"The development of an animated event and entertainment district, anchored by a new arena and convention centre, and linked to the rest of the city by the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, will stimulate the economy and bring renewed energy and life to Saskatoon’s downtown," the report says.
"Therefore, the selection of the site of the future downtown arena should consider an array of factors that will have a real influence, not only on the physical location of a new arena, but also support animation of an event and entertainment district, and be a shared public space where residents feel welcome and have a sense of belonging."
When council makes the final decision on location, the information presented will include both the technical evaluation as well as the feedback obtained through public engagement, the report says.
New parking facilities must be built regardless of which site option council chooses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.