City Needs Champion

Everything’s in place for Edmonton’s downtown arena bid. Except a leader

Sep 1, 2008  

by Natasha Mekhail

ON MARCH 25, Edmonton’s arena feasibility study captured the imagination of the city. But it was also highly criticized for being too vague. City councillors felt that they (and, by extension, their constituents) had been overlooked by the mayor-appointed committee, especially when it came to details of the proposed facility’s projected revenues and expenses.

Best’s rebuttal was to say: “The report is what it is. It answers the question: Is a down-town arena feasible? The answer is yes.” With the takeover now complete, the next step is for the Oilers and Northlands to come up with the financing plan.

In Alberta, there’s no denying hockey is an important part of the culture – just look at Calgary’s Red Mile and Edmonton’s 108-decibel roars during the teams’ runs at the playoffs. When talking about the prospect of a downtown arena, an enthusiastic Patrick LaForge sums it up like this: “It’s going to be a nuclear reactor downtown.”

As it glides from just talk to feasibility, a downtown arena in Edmonton appears almost destined to happen. That was the topic of a National Post column in early April, in which Humphreys, the same U of A economist who cautioned there would be no net economic benefit from a new arena said that the feasibility report is more than just a non-binding study. In his 30 years of research into professional sports franchises, once these discussions get to this point, a new sports facility is inevitable.

For Edmontonians it’s difficult not to get drawn into the vision of what the city’s drab downtown could be. But a recent public opinion poll showed 50% of respondents opposed to using public funds on a new home for the Oilers. Eventually taxpayers will have to be convinced and a plan is needed to ensure that the city doesn’t end up lugging the baggage. So while the train has left the station, no one’s driving it. What the arena debate needs now is another Wild Bill.

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