City of Saskatoon convenes downtown arena advisory committee

City councillors heralded the first committee meeting as a major milestone. A economist says downtown arenas don't provide the boost most officials seem to think.

The City of Saskatoon convened the first meeting of city staff along with community and business leaders to help determine the fate of a potential downtown convention centre and arena.

The officials, representatives of business districts and local organizations met at TCU Place Wednesday as part of an advisory committee to help push the project forward.

It’s a significant new phase for the project, which began years ago.

The entire meeting was private, aside from opening comments, so only participants and city staff know what was discussed.

Before media were ushered from the room, city councillor and committee co-chairperson  Cynthia Block told reporters she was overwhelmed the project reached this point.

“I think that the Downtown District and Entertainment Centre affords us the opportunity to have an integrated, coordinated and seamless experience in our downtown,” she said, drawing a distinction between the out-of-the-way and ageing SaskTel Centre (and central but ageing TCU Place).

“I think (a downtown arena is) going to be wonderful for our generation and those that come after us for a long time to come.”

She said the city could unveil a shortlist of locations in a matter of months.