Actually MacU posted it a few weeks ago when referencing their joint MOU with OEG -- I think the renderings were just items on hand to illustrate a point. What is interesting to me, and not stated specifically in the MOU, is what this might entail for the land north of MacU -- 105th Avenue to 106th Avenue and 105th Street west to 108th Street. This collaboration between OEG and MacU might spell wonders for this area. A team set in place (along with the CoE) to lobby the Provincial Government for a major centre that would match the Calgary Grant. As I have mused before this land (a good chunk of which is occupied by Provincial Government agencies and otherwise has not much going on and has no buildings worth preserving) this land is ideally situated for a downtown stadium that could seat 50,000 to 60,000, that could provide as well and included in the development a first rate hotel (beneficial to out-of-towners -- game attendees, tourists, and foreign students looking to connect with MacU and NorQuest), that could provide athletic facilities for MacU (as well as the general public), that could include in the development student housing in residential towers, and that could include additional classrooms and faculty and staff amenities within a perceived grand complex.
This would all make sense with a formal MOU followed up by an MOA that then promotes the grand scheme to the Provincial Money Brokers.
Imagine what a scheme like this would do for MacU -- it would, more than already achieved, put it on the map as a major urban campus in all of North America (dare I say world-wide); it would provide a playing field for the Griffs (men and women) and athletic facilities year round (they already share the Community rink in the ICE District Arena); it, as stated, would usher in a major expansion plan that includes student housing and Faculty and Staff expansion; it would provide a student work-placement element in sports, hospitality, and retail; and it would lend a "strength" meme to further expansion plans (ideally along 109th Street).
Imagine what a scheme like this would do for downtown Edmonton -- it would make the City's core "Sports Central" attracting major audiences to an additional venue that could house soccer, CFL games, major events and concerts; it would greatly increase the number of hospitality, eatery and pub venues; it would shed a new light on retail potential; it would create a rationale for major residential expansion; and would be a major attraction force for new head offices. Not to mention Edmonton's tax base would regain its downtown prominence.
Imagine what this would mean for Katz & Co. -- Phase II of ICE District with a super-sized parking garage beneath a major planned urban community would now become necessitated; the ability to attract major sports franchises would be enhanced from professional football (soccer) to a relocated CFL franchise to world class sporting events (maybe even an Olympics); and a heightened stature in the eyes of Edmontonian to God-like status.
 
With languishing oil prices, Alberta will likely be in a deficit in the upcoming year. And there is no provincial election coming up soon, so no need to dangle funds to entice voters.

So sorry, Edmonton, there will be no provincial money for a new stadium. We'll be lucky if we get enough provincial funding for a porta potty on this site.
 
Actually the matching funds to the Calgary Grant have already been promised without specificity to an attached project so sorry your sorry doesn't hold water. And the economic impetus would be TREMENDOUS and not easily ignored, Oil Prices aside. An upcoming Civic Election would ensure that the concept gets publicity over and over and over again and if UCP is interested (as it seems to be) in local-level elections well who knows... your dismissal @David A is oversimplified.
 
I wouldn't count on it even if the provincial government says the cheque is in the mail. I don't know if you are aware, we have a postal strike on now in Canada.

The voters they wanted to buy off, have already been bought off and they were not in Edmonton. The rest is just a nice cover story.
 
archited said:
Actually the matching funds to the Calgary Grant have already been promised without specificity to an attached project so sorry your sorry doesn't hold water. And the economic impetus would be TREMENDOUS and not easily ignored, Oil Prices aside. An upcoming Civic Election would ensure that the concept gets publicity over and over and over again and if UCP is interested (as it seems to be) in local-level elections well who knows... your dismissal @David A is oversimplified.
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Have they really been promised? All I've seen are some vague references, which seem to have no weight behind them. Besides promises with these folks mean nothing, hello Hospital. I agree with David, there is no matching money coming.
 
archited said:
Actually MacU posted it a few weeks ago when referencing their joint MOU with OEG -- I think the renderings were just items on hand to illustrate a point. What is interesting to me, and not stated specifically in the MOU, is what this might entail for the land north of MacU -- 105th Avenue to 106th Avenue and 105th Street west to 108th Street. This collaboration between OEG and MacU might spell wonders for this area. A team set in place (along with the CoE) to lobby the Provincial Government for a major centre that would match the Calgary Grant. As I have mused before this land (a good chunk of which is occupied by Provincial Government agencies and otherwise has not much going on and has no buildings worth preserving) this land is ideally situated for a downtown stadium that could seat 50,000 to 60,000, that could provide as well and included in the development a first rate hotel (beneficial to out-of-towners -- game attendees, tourists, and foreign students looking to connect with MacU and NorQuest), that could provide athletic facilities for MacU (as well as the general public), that could include in the development student housing in residential towers, and that could include additional classrooms and faculty and staff amenities within a perceived grand complex.
This would all make sense with a formal MOU followed up by an MOA that then promotes the grand scheme to the Provincial Money Brokers.
Imagine what a scheme like this would do for MacU -- it would, more than already achieved, put it on the map as a major urban campus in all of North America (dare I say world-wide); it would provide a playing field for the Griffs (men and women) and athletic facilities year round (they already share the Community rink in the ICE District Arena); it, as stated, would usher in a major expansion plan that includes student housing and Faculty and Staff expansion; it would provide a student work-placement element in sports, hospitality, and retail; and it would lend a "strength" meme to further expansion plans (ideally along 109th Street).
Imagine what a scheme like this would do for downtown Edmonton -- it would make the City's core "Sports Central" attracting major audiences to an additional venue that could house soccer, CFL games, major events and concerts; it would greatly increase the number of hospitality, eatery and pub venues; it would shed a new light on retail potential; it would create a rationale for major residential expansion; and would be a major attraction force for new head offices. Not to mention Edmonton's tax base would regain its downtown prominence.
Imagine what this would mean for Katz & Co. -- Phase II of ICE District with a super-sized parking garage beneath a major planned urban community would now become necessitated; the ability to attract major sports franchises would be enhanced from professional football (soccer) to a relocated CFL franchise to world class sporting events (maybe even an Olympics); and a heightened stature in the eyes of Edmontonian to God-like status.
Click to expand...
If anyone is wasting their money on a stadium that big I really hope there's no tax money involved.
 
I have a rule where if I wouldn't hold the arts facilities to a standard, I don't impose that on sports facilities.

Art people and sport people often find themselves in opposition regarding funding, but I've straddled both worlds my entire life. In the last year I've been inside the museum, Rogers, Citadel, the AGA, Commonwealth. If arts deserve funding (they do), sports are just as important culturally. I'm also quite bothered that we have two prominent theatres in disrepair in this city.

I won't apologize for wanting world class art and theatre facilities downtown alongside world class sport facilities.
 
Barnaby said:
I have a rule where if I wouldn't hold the arts facilities to a standard, I don't impose that on sports facilities.

Art people and sport people often find themselves in opposition regarding funding, but I've straddled both worlds my entire life. In the last year I've been inside the museum, Rogers, Citadel, the AGA, Commonwealth. If arts deserve funding (they do), sports are just as important culturally. I'm also quite bothered that we have two prominent theatres in disrepair in this city.

I won't apologize for wanting world class art and theatre facilities downtown alongside world class sport facilities.
Click to expand...
Build a stadium, but build a reasonable one.
 
Barnaby said:
I have a rule where if I wouldn't hold the arts facilities to a standard, I don't impose that on sports facilities.

Art people and sport people often find themselves in opposition regarding funding, but I've straddled both worlds my entire life. In the last year I've been inside the museum, Rogers, Citadel, the AGA, Commonwealth. If arts deserve funding (they do), sports are just as important culturally. I'm also quite bothered that we have two prominent theatres in disrepair in this city.

I won't apologize for wanting world class art and theatre facilities downtown alongside world class sport facilities.
Click to expand...
Good point, but what new arts facility is being proposed?

I agree the Citadel needs to be maintained as does Commonwealth stadium (they were built in the same era), but they are both good facilities and with proper and thoughtful work could serve us well for many decades more.

Is it an Edmonton thing that we always like to build shiny new things, but not maintain what we have? I really want to see when we become a more grown up city beyond a disposable mentality.
 
IanO said:
Connecting all of the dots, I fully expect to hear/see some major development announcements in the area in early 2025 that will be focussed around student housing and some market housing in phase 1 or ICE 2.
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