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City officials poked holes in Northlands’ Vision 2020 Wednesday but hope remains for a re-imagined Rexall Place.

In a report heading to council next Wednesday, senior officials say Northlands has lowballed the cost by as much as 40 per cent for refurbishing Rexall Place, upgrading the Expo Centre and urban festival site. They also doubt these facilities can bring the crowds necessary to make Northlands’ vision sustainable by 2020.

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Northlands estimated total costs at $165 million. City officials say costs are at least $193 million and could be as high as $230 million.

But Mayor Don Iveson was unwilling to toss the whole plan Wednesday morning.

“There is a case for further exploration around the (hockey) multiplex,” he said. “Edmontonians, this building tugs on their heartstrings. They want to find a way to repurpose it for amateur sport.”

The downtown arena master plan prohibits the city from contributing any money to rehabilitate Rexall Place, even for amateur sport and entertainment.

But Iveson said he’s hopeful the Oilers Entertainment Group would sign off on a plan. OEG head Bob Nicholson introduced him to Hockey Canada last week, which lead to fruitful discussions on a possible Hockey academy there, he said.

Then learning, sports, fitness and possibly other sports could all find a home in a repurposed facility, he said. “I really do think it’s worth exploring.”