Site preparations and groundbreaking slated for March 2014

Edmonton’s downtown arena project has been given the green light to begin construction in March 2014. The entire project, which is scheduled to open in fall 2016, will be an exciting addition to Edmonton’s core and become a landmark in the city’s downtown.

“This is an exciting day for Edmonton as we move ahead with a project that will help realize our vision of a more vibrant downtown and ensures that the Edmonton Oilers remain a vital part of our city for years to come,” said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson. “The look of Rogers Place is bold and forward-looking, just like Edmonton. As part of our downtown vision, it will serve as a symbol of our city’s great future.”

The City of Edmonton and Katz Group announced that the $480 million Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Rogers Place has been met.

“For the Katz Group and the Edmonton Oilers, we have always believed Edmonton’s need for a new arena was a huge opportunity to help transform our downtown into the vibrant, diverse and dynamic community that is the hallmark of every great city,” said Daryl Katz, owner of the Edmonton Oilers. “We couldn’t be more excited to see that vision becoming a reality and I want to thank Mayor Iveson, City Council, former Mayor Stephen Mandel, and the entire team at the City and everyone else who has laboured over this project for years for their tenacity and faith in this project.”

In addition to the $480 million for the arena, the cost was also confirmed through the GMP process for the four other integral components of the project: the community rink, Winter Garden, LRT connection, and pedestrian pedway. The price for the arena project is $606.5 million, which includes a $2 million contribution from MacEwan University towards the community rink to increase capacity and improve functionality.

The GMP process means that the construction manager bears all risk for cost increases in labour and materials throughout the project, protecting the City and Katz Group from having to pay more if these costs change. The project team has been working on the final design over the past year so that it keeps true to the schematic designs shared in spring 2012, and meets the budget set by Council.

Set to open for the 2016 NHL season, Rogers Place will be one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment venues hosting international-calibre concerts, events and, of course, Edmonton Oilers hockey. Fans will enjoy 18,641 seats for hockey games, and wide concourses with diverse amenities to enjoy during intermissions.

As well, Rogers Place will be the most technologically enabled sport facility in all of North America when it opens in the fall of 2016.

PCL Construction was hired as the pre-construction manager to prepare the GMP. As the GMP was delivered on budget, the Edmonton-based company will now become the construction manager for the arena project. ICON Venue Group will continue as project manager, bringing its extensive experience managing arena projects and keeping the project on budget and on schedule. 360 Architects, leading a team that included a number of local firms, provided the landmark design.

New images of the final design are available at www.edmonton.ca/arenaimages. Information on Rogers Place is available at www.rogersplace.com, and City information on the arena project is available at www.edmonton.ca/downtownarena.

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