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As Saskatoon prepares to accommodate half a million residents, several city councillors believe those plans need to include a review of SaskTel Centre, including the possibility of building a new arena downtown.
SaskTel Centre executive officer Will Lofdahl and board chair Adele Buettner will speak to the city’s Governance and Priorities Committee on Monday, and urge the city to conduct a market analysis to see how the 28-year-old city-owned facility can remain competitive for the next 30 to 40 years.
“We need to start looking at what to do to position us so that we are competitive in the future,” Lofdahl said, adding the report would look at whether they can renovate the existing building or if they need to build a new one.
Tourism Saskatoon has already spoken in favour of building a new arena downtown, and the idea is supported by such city representatives as Mayor Don Atchison, and councillors Darrin Hill and Pat Lorje.
“I for one, think that a new facility, when that time happens, does need to be in downtown Saskatoon,” Hill said Friday, adding he supports the call for an analysis. “I don’t want the citizens of Saskatoon to think that we are all of a sudden embarking on a multi-million dollar capital project for a new facility… but the conversation needs to be started.”
The review also has the support of Atchison, who said he doesn’t want the city to be “behind the eight ball, just like we were for the old Saskatoon Arena” when the time comes for a new facility.
“The dialogue and discussion within the community certainly needs to start because it takes quite some time to bring these types of projects to fruition,” Atchison said.
Built in 1988 for $26.1 million, SaskTel centre, then called Saskatchewan Place, replaced the Saskatoon Arena which was located just north of the new Remai Modern Art gallery.
The facility has been strained by two expansions, which saw seating capacity grow from 7,800 to 15,100, Lofdahl said. Hallways, washrooms and concession stands become overcrowded when there’s more than 8,000 guests and there’s no in-house kitchen.
As touring shows become more complex, the building’s low roof, relatively small rigging system and lack of and loading dock and permanent dressing rooms are posing problems.
“On many of the concert tours we host, we are the smallest market and one of the oldest arenas. It’s not good to be on the bottom of those lists. It makes it a tougher fight to get major shows.” Lofdahl said, adding the facility is at a crossroads.
It’s difficult to know for sure if the facility is deterring customers and performers, Lofdahl said, but their competitiveness is starting to wane because of newer buildings with better attributes.
Lofdahl’s report to council highlights that of all the facilities that hosted Katy Perry’s concert in 2014, only four were older than SaskTel Centre, and all four are either being renovated or replaced. Lofdahl also pointed to Winnipeg and Edmonton who have completed or are working on new arenas respectively.
“If we do nothing, our competitiveness will continue to wane until we’re out of the game,” Lofdahl said.
The report said money has been put aside to replace the building’s roof, ice slab and parking lot and fix seats.
The scope of a market analysis hasn’t been determined, but Lofdahl said it would explore the possibilities of renovating the current building or building a new one. If the analysis favours building a new facility, it would also look at locations, costs and funding.
“I think we need to stake a step back and do our homework and after we’ve done our research, then develop an opinion,” Lofdahl said.
Hill said if approved, the market analysis should also consider the city’s transportation plans.
“The successful (arenas) have public transportation that move masses of people to get the event at those facilities,” he said, adding the facility should also consider providing street-level commercial space that can be accessed even when the arena is not hosting an event.