Saskatoon Construction III

[GTR200]

Considering we are a smaller city, in my humble opinion I don't think it makes sense to build a whole new arena. I wish the original was built downtown to begin with, but not much can be done about that now.
If we build a new arena, that would mean the one we already have would serve minimal purpose. That would really be a shame.
I think the only way it would make sense for the city to build a new arena, if we got federal funding. We know that the provincial government doesn't have the money.
I just can't see the city being able to afford this venture. The population base in Edmonton is 3 times of Saskatoon and they have an NHL hockey team.
Considering Calgary is having a hard time building a new arena and they have they flames, I can't justify a new arena here.

Would I like to see a new Arena in Saskatoon? Yes!!
I just don't think we can afford it.
I know that I'm not willing to pay more taxes.

[roryn1]

BHP posted a very good earnings report, and the main thing to note - they’re not caving to activist Elliott Advisors pushed changes which hopefully means they’ll proceed with the Jansen Mine sooner than later. Once the Jansen mine officially gets the go ahead I think we will see another office tower in that block (not including the silly World Trade Center that’s probably never going to happen).

https://www.ft.com/content/c9cbb3c6-...6-4a6390addb44

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by roryn1

BHP posted a very good earnings report, and the main thing to note - they’re not caving to activist Elliott Advisors pushed changes which hopefully means they’ll proceed with the Jansen Mine sooner than later. Once the Jansen mine officially gets the go ahead I think we will see another office tower in that block (not including the silly World Trade Center that’s probably never going to happen).

https://www.ft.com/content/c9cbb3c6-...6-4a6390addb44

Overall their earnings were down something like 37%. I know that had a big financial one time hit, but it's not all roses right now. I don't think it will be a green flag for the Jansen project just yet. My bet is at least 2 or 3 years yet.

[Stormer]

My observation on the arena issue is that except for the location SaskTel is a pretty decent arena for a city the size of Saskatoon. In order to justify the hundreds of millions of expense, you would need to build a vastly superior facility which just means more hundreds of millions. Saskatoon is not getting an NHL franchise in the next 20 years, so it is impossible to justify this. Even Calgary with 5 times the population, an NHL team and a huge corporate base, can't get it done so far.

Spend a little money on upgrades and transit. The free shuttles to Mosaic Stadium events in Regina have worked well. Establishments near the 2 downtown stops have been booming before and after events.

[HomeInMyShoes]

^I don't completely agree with that. The Sprint Center in Kansas City, without a major sporting team, is one of the more successful arenas in North America when it comes to booking and financials. Saskatoon is not Kansas City, but SaskTel Center is quite busy. They have the Blades, the Rush, and quite a few concerts and events. In February alone, there were twleve event days.

While they might not be able to afford the arena right now, the city could do well by looking into an end of life plan for SaskTel Center and looking to secure an area or zone an area to put an arena.

[The Bess]

I still believe that to build an arena downtown they need to tie it to a convention center, this would give it more use and benefit the hotel and restaurants. I don't think you could justify it today but like someone said in 10 years we should be starting on it. What would happen to the old arena? Can't put casino there because of past deals with Sask. first nations, maybe convert it to a new city hall to keep the politicians out of downtown and convert city hall to a new library.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

^I don't completely agree with that. The Sprint Center in Kansas City, without a major sporting team, is one of the more successful arenas in North America when it comes to booking and financials. Saskatoon is not Kansas City, but SaskTel Center is quite busy. They have the Blades, the Rush, and quite a few concerts and events. In February alone, there were twleve event days.

While they might not be able to afford the arena right now, the city could do well by looking into an end of life plan for SaskTel Center and looking to secure an area or zone an area to put an arena.

I just had a quick look at the Spring Center. It should be a "success". KC has a metro of 2.2 million. The City is subsidizing it at the rate $20 million USD per year - $15 million debt service and $5 million tax increment financing. That is $30 million Canadian. Saskatoon could give free tickets to every event at SaskTel Centre and still save money at those figures.

[The Bess]

Right on Stormer, so about 10 years to start arena and convention center sounds about right.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

While they might not be able to afford the arena right now, the city could do well by looking into an end of life plan for SaskTel Center and looking to secure an area or zone an area to put an arena.

An end-of-life plan is what I'm expecting from the report, but I think that end is going to be 15-20 years down the road at the earliest. In the meantime, Sask Place needs to have some money put into it to keep it going.

[HomeInMyShoes]

^The question is what kind of money and for what. In the end its a cost/benefit analysis and not understanding what the time frame of the structure will not make for the best decisions. I just want all our cities to be rational when looking at these things. Residents as well.

I feel a song coming on..."to dream the impossible dream, to..."

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

^The question is what kind of money and for what. In the end its a cost/benefit analysis and not understanding what the time frame of the structure will not make for the best decisions. I just want all our cities to be rational when looking at these things. Residents as well.

I feel a song coming on..."to dream the impossible dream, to..."

I think building new roads out to the arena is unfortunately too expensive for what we'd get out of it with 20 years of use. The time to have considered upgrades was when they were repairing the Yellowhead overpass. Congestion is something Saskatoonians will either have to learn to live with or figure out how to improve with our current roads.

It should be possible to expand the concourses and give the interior a facelift for a reasonable price, however. Nassau Coliseum is a good model in terms of what we should look at in determining what improvements we can make, though the price tag for those renos are far too high for what we need. Fifty million should be enough to have Sask Place in good condition until we can build a new one.

[saskatoonborn]

As far as a new stadium goes it is more of a when not if it moves downtown. I agree with a 10 to 20 year estimate leaning closer to 20.

I know many believe the Toys r Us parking lot is the best place for it and others believe the mall parking across from the bay or in the north downtown area. Sadly you are all wrong, the best place for it is where the Sturdy Stone building is. kill 2 birds... litterly kill that building. (I am only kidding about you being wrong those are all excellent locations I am fond of the lot across from. the Bay myself) jokes aside it might actually work with the BRT system using 3rd as a hub and being the most centralized downtown location and a fair bit of parking around. But would be far to expensive unless it is demolished and the city can get the empty lot cheap for some reason. A person can dream right?

[Dalreg]

Originally Posted by saskatoonborn

As far as a new stadium goes it is more of a when not if it moves downtown. I agree with a 10 to 20 year estimate leaning closer to 20.

I know many believe the Toys r Us parking lot is the best place for it and others believe the mall parking across from the bay or in the north downtown area. Sadly you are all wrong, the best place for it is where the Sturdy Stone building is. kill 2 birds... litterly kill that building. (I am only kidding about you being wrong those are all excellent locations I am fond of the lot across from. the Bay myself) jokes aside it might actually work with the BRT system using 3rd as a hub and being the most centralized downtown location and a fair bit of parking around. But would be far to expensive unless it is demolished and the city can get the empty lot cheap for some reason. A person can dream right?

If we are dreaming, then dream big. A new convention centre/arena on The north parking lot of Midtown Plaza and bridging over 23rd to the old bus depot would be a massive redevelopment! A 16,000 seat arena, with convention centre tied into TCU Place could be massive, hell throw in a casino for good measure. A spare $1 billion or two should cover the costs.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by Dalreg

If we are dreaming, then dream big. A new convention centre/arena on The north parking lot of Midtown Plaza and bridging over 23rd to the old bus depot would be a massive redevelopment! A 16,000 seat arena, with convention centre tied into TCU Place could be massive, hell throw in a casino for good measure. A spare $1 billion or two should cover the costs.

Paging Ellen Remai...

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by Echoes

Paging Ellen Remai...

This is the one project in Saskatoon where I'm willing to let the Remais and the Dubes duke it out to see who gets their name on it.

[Temperance]

Honestly I would love a new arena downtown but for the am of money we're talking about I would much rather see it invested in the proposed midtown revamp (namely an arts/convention centre) and the realization of a vibrant neighbourhood in north downtown. I think that would do a lot more for city building than an arena plunked downtown.

[Brutopian]

Tank: Spending never ending in Canada's fastest growing city

City of Saskatoon debt is expected to peak at a record $420.8 million this year before starting to drop back down.

Phil Tank, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
February 20, 2018

When you see the slate of projects city hall is considering, it’s difficult to imagine just how it will get rid of its debt.

Add into the mix Saskatoon’s status as Canada’s fastest growing metropolitan area and you can see the potential for lots more demands on spending.

Last week, Statistics Canada identified Saskatoon as the fastest growing census metropolitan area (CMA) in the country, with 2.8 per cent growth in 2016-2017.

A CMA includes a city and the region nearby. In Saskatoon’s case, that includes the cities of Warman and Martensville and smaller communities like Dundurn, Asquith and Colonsay.

The Saskatoon CMA has now jumped to 323,809 from 260,600 in 2011. Saskatoon also boasts the youngest CMA population, with a median age of 34.9 years.

High growth, even in a period that can be considered an economic downturn, combined with lots of young people means much change looms for Saskatoon.

[........]

Read more:
http://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/co...t-growing-city

[Toontone]

Curious.
I thought I had read here or heard somewhere that the new hotel going up on Lorne ave (near the museum) is going to be a Sandman.
Anyone know this for certain? And, what restaurant will be built nearby?

Thanks

[Crisis]

I'd also understood that the hotel under construction is gong to be a Sandman and the restaurant a Chop steakhouse.

[The S'toon Goon]

I assume that Sasktel Centre is ran as a business. So does anyone know if it turns a profit for the city and if so how much?