City of Saskatoon unveils design concepts for downtown arena and entertainment district

The City of Saskatoon revealed Thursday the artistic renderings of what the downtown event and entertainment district could look like once it's completed.

"We're revealing today… what this district could become, what it could look like, what it would feel like to experience the district. It's not the final drawings," Mayor Charlie Clark told reporters.

"A great gathering place for our increasingly metropolitan, growing, thriving urban centre right here on the Prairies."

Visuals and colourful design concepts labelled "Saskatchewan Place" were shown including summer and winter scenes capturing the potential for winter festivals, outdoor markets and summer activities in the downtown area.

The visuals show what the proposed event arena and convention centre could look like, with a focus along a transformed 22nd Street. The guests were given a VR tour of the streets and buildings. The land where the arena will be situated is on the Midtown mall's north parking lot and some surrounding properties.

Councillors hope that the downtown would become a gathering place for the city's growing diverse population.

"I think it is important that we continue to be a city that believes in itself and understand that we have a legacy that goes long before us," Ward 6 Coun. Cynthia Block said.

"If we're serious about a city that's going to be more efficient, more affordable and more sustainable, we must drive more density to the core where the infrastructure and services already exist."

Block said this would also create over 200 jobs and attract $100 million in investments.

The district developments would also mean modernizing the public transportation system, she said.

Ward 4 Coun. Troy Davies said the district would replace the aging infrastructure like the TCU Place and Sasktel Centre in the city. 

"We are missing out on some key conferences that have decided to move past Saskatoon. We've lost some concerts that have decided to go to Edmonton and not stay in Saskatoon," he said.

Davies explained that the roof at SaskTel Centre is 52 feet whereas for major concerts a 90-foot ceiling height is needed.

"This is a plan and a vision that we need to have for the future eight to 10 years, whatever that might be."