Some higher-res renders, source: http://www.northlands.com/vision2020/northlands-ice-coliseum/

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City officials endorse Hockey Canada vision for Northlands Coliseum
Edmonton officials have endorsed a Hockey Canada vision for the Northlands Coliseum that would see four ice sheets, an indoor track and a high-performance dryland training centre established to create a hockey magnet in the city.

In a report released Thursday, city officials estimate it would cost $102 million. But one-third of the cost could be covered by shutting down four aging ice rinks in that part of the city. They’re hoping Hockey Canada can bring partners to the table to make a dent in the rest.

“I’m encouraged by the report,” Mayor Don Iveson said Thursday. “They can bring real institutional heft to the table, potential sponsors and partnerships.”

Hockey Canada officials weren’t available for comment. But in a letter to Iveson, they said they’ve already met with both city school boards, hockey associations in the city and Alberta Athletics.

They believe the facility can serve many residents with four full-sized hockey rinks, classrooms, lecture halls, a theatre, research and technology, medical and training areas. “Edmonton has the potential to be on the leading edge worldwide of sport academy training programs.”
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http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...-hockey-canada-vision-for-northlands-coliseum

City suggests Hockey Canada take over Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton
The city is recommending Hockey Canada take over the aging Northlands Coliseum, after determining the organization was the best contender for the site’s future success.

Upon reviewing bids from 15 organizations, the city’s report released Thursday shows Hockey Canada would bring a hockey sports school with four sheets of ice, a 200-metre athletic track, and a dry-land training area.

“The concept presented by Hockey Canada provides the greatest likelihood of success based on the potential partnerships leveraged by the organization,” the report read.

The recommendation comes after council sent the financially bogged Northlands back to the drawing board last year, after the group presented unfeasible plans for the site.

“I’m really glad we heard not just from Hockey Canada, but from 15 different organizations,” Mayor Don Iveson told reporters Thursday. “The most encouraging is and remains Hockey Canada.”
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http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/04/06/hockey-canada-northlands-coliseum-edmonton-.html

Northlands repurposing plan goes to city council next week (CBC)

City report for Northlands Coliseum suggests partnership with Hockey Canada (Global)
 
Sell for parts? Edmonton explores options for Northlands scoreboard
If you’re in the market for a massive scoreboard, you might be able to strike a deal with the City of Edmonton.

The city is looking at options to get rid of the scoreboard, which is in “fair” condition, according to a report going to council next week. However, Northlands advised the city that the scoreboard is not functioning at full capacity.

“We should see if we can auction it when we’re done with it, because hopefully someone will give us a few bucks for it,” Mayor Don Iveson said with a laugh Thursday.
The scoreboard is old, repairs are expensive and the company that built and serviced it has gone out of business, the report states.

Northlands, which may require the use of the scoreboard until the end of 2018, spends about $10,000 per year to maintain and operate the technology.
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http://globalnews.ca/news/3365368/s...n-explores-options-for-northlands-scoreboard/
 
Hockey Canada eyes future facility at Edmonton's Northlands Coliseum
Today’s kids are distracted by cellphones and aren't as active as they used to be, according to Hockey Canada president Tom Renney, who argued Tuesday a new hockey academy to replace the aging Northlands Coliseum could get more youth playing.

“We have a bit of a sedentary lifestyle,” Renney told city council members Tuesday, during debate on the future of the coliseum, which Hockey Canada wants to take over. “That concerns me and it’s a question you must face.”

City council voted Tuesday to start working on an agreement with Hockey Canada for the proposed academy at the coliseum. The decision comes after city administration reviewed 15 proposed projects for the site, suggesting Hockey Canada offered the best plan for the coliseum’s future success.

The hockey school would include four sheets of ice, a 200-metre athletic track, and a dry-land training area. Hockey Canada would operate the building during the day, while the community members and organizations could use the facilities on evenings and weekends.
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http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...-northlands-coliseum.html?cq_ck=1491937708130

Council worries about neighbourhood impact of Hockey Canada Coliseum deal
City council gave staff until May 30 to secure written support from the Katz Group and Hockey Canada for a new hockey centre of excellence at the Northlands Coliseum.

With those endorsements in hand, they’ll debate the next step – funding a $2.85 million business case and functional design.

Katz Group has a veto on any sport or entertainment use through the downtown arena deal.

The Hockey Canada idea had widespread support at council Tuesday, but some worried other sports are getting shut out and questioned the need to shutter four aging single-sheet arenas in north-central neighbourhoods to help fund it.

“If we’re going to close local ice pads, parents won’t have a local facility to take their children to for a skate,” said Coun. Bev Esslinger. “They’ll be forced to go on a lot longer drive or transit to use those services. Will that be a barrier to get involved? That’s my concern.”

Coun. Bryan Anderson pushed city officials to ensure the new hockey centre of excellence has space for as many other sports to get involved as possible, and for people to use the centre for recreational purposes.

He made a second motion to get staff to re-examine what happens to each neighbourhood location when a single-sheet location closes, suggesting they could be repurposed for ball-hockey and other local uses.
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http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/city-council-debates-next-steps-for-hockey-canada-dreams
 
I wonder which rinks they end up closing.

My girlfriend coaches figure skating at a number of different rinks in the city and I can't imagine she would be too happy if some of them closed, nor would parents. Then again, going to the same facility consistently could be nice. Too bad the coliseum isn't a little bit more central.
 
Editorial: Puck is in Katz Group's end on Coliseum's fate
Rogers Place will undergo a baptism by fire this week as the Edmonton Oilers return to the playoffs in dramatic fashion after 11 years.

It’s fitting that the team’s old home where so many championships were forged in the Gretzky-Messier era is also back in the spotlight. The City of Edmonton and Hockey Canada moved a step closer this week in their plan to breathe new life into the storied, but aging and outdated, Northlands Coliseum.

Appropriately, that repurposing also revolves around hockey. The vision is to turn the arena into a hockey centre of excellence with four ice sheets, an indoor track, a high-performance dryland training facility, offices and classroom space. The centre would turn Edmonton into a magnet for high-end training, but also benefit the wider community by opening its doors to children and recreational players in the evenings and weekends.

The plan appears to be a logical and viable repurposing of an iconic piece of local history that maintains its association with hockey. The proposal makes more sense than continuing to operate it as an overflow venue for concerts and sporting events — a second-string Rogers Place.
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http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-puck-is-in-katz-groups-end-on-coliseums-fate
 
Report raises new questions about future of Northlands Coliseum
The future of Edmonton’s Northlands Coliseum became a little more uncertain this week as a new report to council found it would cost significantly less money to tear down the arena and build a new facility.

City councillors are expected to discuss the report’s findings on Tuesday and the debate comes at a critical time as the city, the Katz Group and Hockey Canada look to sign a memorandum of understanding about the building’s future use.
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http://globalnews.ca/news/3482814/report-raises-new-questions-about-future-of-northlands-coliseum/
 
Finally... some sanity. I have been saying for months that the cost of retrofitting the Coliseum to 6 or even 4 sheets of ice is unsustainably high. To me it was a one-look no-brainer. The value in the building, however, is in its storied history; surely, it is worth saving from that perspective and repurposed with some of its hockey elements saved and treasured and maintained.
 
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