As the Edmonton Oilers enjoy their position near the top of the Pacific Division, the City is considering options for the future of their old home. A figurative question mark has hovered above Northlands Coliseum, previously and popularly referred to as Rexall Place, since plans were announced for Rogers Place. But the interest in retrofitting the aging structure continues to gain steam among residents and City officials.

Northlands Coliseum is aching for change, image by Flickr user Mack Male via Creative Commons

Northlands embarked on an investigative exercise in 2015 that produced the wide-ranging Vision 2020 plan, the first real glimpse of the site's potential as a community-based sports and recreation hub. Northlands has proposed a six-sheet arena along with an "urban festival" site, a new events venue, and the possibility of residential, commercial, and hotel functions.

The conceptual vision for the site, image via Northlands

Indicative of the project's early days, the City is hosting open houses to gather public input that would guide the redevelopment of the property. The final open house is scheduled for today, November 17, from 3 to 8 pm in Multipurpose Room #6 at the Commonwealth Recreation Centre, 11000 Stadium Road. But if you're unable to make it, the City is collecting ideas via an online survey until December 1.

Some residential units may be built, image via Northlands

Taking into account the amassed public feedback, Northlands will present two to three conceptual directions to City Council in April 2017. Though construction isn't expected to begin until 2018 at the earliest, organizations that are interested and have the capacity to help with the transformation have been invited to submit a Partner Interest Exploration (PIE). This gives the City a more detailed picture of which organizations could potentially invest capital or provide programming and services in the re-purposed venue. The City is accepting submissions until 2 pm on December 9, 2016.

Conceptual plans for the site, image via Northlands

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