Quote:
Originally Posted by esquire
I guess if Saskatoon wants to build a new rink then that's their prerogative, but it seems weird to me to replace a perfectly functional NHL-sized building when there is no current or prospective tenant agitating for one. Most cities only take this kind of thing on when they have no choice if they want to keep or attract teams. The Blades and Rush could probably play at SaskTel for the next 100 years, it would suit them just fine. So why take on the substantial cost of building a new rink now?
If Saskatoon wants to use it to spur downtown development, then why not take half the money it would take to build a new arena and just put it directly into downtown, i.e. cut out the middleman?
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A good point, but direct investment in the downtown is not a flashy, big ticket project that our elected officials can get people excited about.
As a Saskatoon resident I'm surprised by the general consensus, at least among our City Council and business community, that we need to start working towards an eventual new downtown arena right now.
Council has directed City Hall to come back to them with a decision report by year end on a specific location for the arena. This of course is not the same as making a decision to fund its construction, but confirming the site is a pretty big (albeit preliminary) decision to be making. I think there's a very real chance of a new arena opening downtown in the next 10-12 years. The momentum is building, but it's possible that a civic election next fall could put the brakes on the whole thing.