It's a new year and Edmonton's new arena is on track to open fall, 2016.

"We haven't had any delays because the weather's been pretty co-operative," said Ronna Bremer, director with corporate communications for the city. "We're on a pretty tight schedule so we can't afford to have Mother Nature play too many tricks on us."

Workers saw a short respite during the holidays but even the recent cold hasn't been enough to keep the first tier of metal beams from continuing their upward climb. The second and third tiers are expected to go up by the fall of 2015.

And though road closures for the construction of the Winter Garden pedway may not be welcome by motorists, it's good news for the arena.

Click here for the city's Arena and Entertainment District

The closures, that were set to start Tuesday night on 104 Avenue between 101 and 103 Streets, will go every night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and last until late June or early July.

A full arena update -- including budget numbers -- is expected to be brought before city council in February, but Bremer said all elements, including requests for public art proposals, are going smoothly so far.

Meanwhile, Northlands is looking for the public's two cents on what the new downtown arena will mean for its business and the old arena, Rexall Place.

An online survey running until the end of January asks people to answer questions about how important Northlands and Rexall Place are to them, how often they visit the grounds and what uses they'd like to see there in coming years.

The survey, which can be found online at northlands.com/arenasurvey, will be used by a steering committee to help them decide what should be done by the group in the future.

david.lazzarino@sunmedia.ca

@SUNDaveLazz