[MalcolmTucker]

So the question arises: if all MSI and transportation grants went to the Capital Region Board - would you still support them having an additional ask to the province?

The Liberals are iffy on Redford's promise, the NDP and Wildrose stone cold against. Additional outside of the funding envelope funding ain't happening. Especially when the deficit is creeping back up north of $2 billion. Unless the city is prepared to let the arena die on this issue, they will allocate MSI money as the provincial portion.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

I can't believe people keep beating this same old dead horse. Amalgamation is pointless...if St. Albert and Sherwood Park are swallowed up, Morinville and Ardrossan will replace it. Regional board is a giant step forward in establishing regional initiatives such as land use and regional transit.

To get back on topic, MSI or any other provincial funding would allow for the metro area contributing $$$ to the arena deal.

[Jasper and one o nin]

Nobody seems to realize that if St. Albert was annexed into Edmonton, taxes would have to go up for existing edmonton properties. Suburban development costs much more to service than innercity. That is why St. Albert residents pay much more property tax. It would make no sense to annex St. Albert. Furthermore, the central city benefits from having edge cities. The core cities will have a higher commercial to residential ratio. The CBD in the core city, is the CBD for the region. It is a bit different in the Edmonton region b/c strath county has a huge industrial base. but all in all, the central city is always the winner.

[rapid_business]

Yup. The only annexation where Edmonton would come out a winner is:
a) strath. county industrial lands adjacent to the city
b) down the QEII corridor for future light-industrial/office expansion. This has been bounced around casually for the past couple years, so expect there to be more action on that front in the future.

[feepa]

I can't believe people keep beating this same old dead horse. Amalgamation is pointless...if St. Albert and Sherwood Park are swallowed up, Morinville and Ardrossan will replace it. Regional board is a giant step forward in establishing regional initiatives such as land use and regional transit.

To get back on topic, MSI or any other provincial funding would allow for the metro area contributing $$$ to the arena deal.
it's not a dead horse, and no, morinville and ardrossan won't/don't have to replace, if this issue is properly addressed when the province fixes the MGA. Something the province is already looking into as there's many glaring problems to it, including this very issue. The province needs to set urban growth boundaries for the Edmonton region, and put up a 100km greenbelt around the city.

[Gary Wayne]

Now that the museum seems to be back on track ,does anyone heer think the mayor will now meet with Premier Redford soon or will we have to wait for another six months to obtain provincial funding.

[Jasper and one o nin]

^Hukt on foniks?

[Coldrsx]

Tabled yesterday in the Leg.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/misc%20photos/Picture2-23.png

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Hasn't Blakeman spoke out against provincial funding for the downtown arena before? Why the flip-flop?

[MalcolmTucker]

Tablings are not an endorsement.

[Coldrsx]

Sounds like things are moving forward behind the scenes.

[TimB09]

I was in the EPCOR tower recently and I was looking at the Baccart lands where they are proposing the arena will go. So with the purchase of the lands by the city, does that include the old Building with the old ad plastered on the side of it and the mall with the Brick and that restaurant. Because from where I was standing, the lands don't seem very big. Can someone enlighten me?

[Coldrsx]

No. That is an affordable living apartment.

The arena lands are bound by 104st-101st from 104ave-105ave.

It is a huge piece of property, don't worry.

[240glt]

I hope the MacCosham building is treated nicely in the Arena plans.

[Coldrsx]

CBC is finishing for a story it seems with the land deal...

[Hallsy's Toupee]

CBC story here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/11/29/edmonton-bridge-lands-agreement.html

[Tower Crane]

My contacts tell me the city appears to be mishandling the pending arena tender for a CM. I understand Katz's people obtained the consultant that wrote the RFQ that will be coming out. Short list contractor CM teams will than submit CM proposals. It also appears Katz's consultant will assist with the reviews and selection...........I can see it now.........and the award goes too.......PCL ( Katz's friends and personal contractor ).
We should be calling for a transparent process because the City Planners oh sorry I forgot the City has no more real planners they have processors and they are being lead around by the Katz team like a pony.

Let's look into this people!

[sdimedru]

I'd be happy with PCL... they do great work... it wouldn't be the worst thing would it?

*I understand what you're saying, that the process should be an open and honest one

[CMD UW]

Oh heeere we go with the insider, mismanagement, lack of transparency accusations. This is all likely 'hearsay' and 'watercooler talk'.

[Mikemike]

Katz' house and vast majority of Rexall stores in the edmonton area were built by Rescom. If rescom gets the arena deal I'll agree that there's tampering, but they won't even be in consideration. I don't think that they've ever done anything over $20m or so.

[240glt]

I'd be happy with PCL... they do great work... it wouldn't be the worst thing would it?

*I understand what you're saying, that the process should be an open and honest one

You've never worked with PCL obviously:yuck:

But yes this conspiracy theory is pretty far fetched

[Coldrsx]

Just because Paul Douglas spoke about the arena...

[cdnklc]

Just because Paul Douglas spoke about the arena...
and so did bob walker and andy clark and a host of others...

that probably just confirms that it's the right thing to be doing as a city and a province (hopefully), not a "you need to do this so i can do this".

not that any of them would turn it down but, as important a piece of work as the arena will be for the city, when you consider it will take 3 - 4 years to complete it wouldn't have that much of an impact on pcl's book one way or the other.

[Coldrsx]

Concur in full Ken.

[sdimedru]

You've never worked with PCL obviously:yuck:

But yes this conspiracy theory is pretty far fetched

good guess, i have not!

[Coldrsx]

Announcement of arena architect forthcoming...

[Coldrsx]

Whomever it is, I just hope we have a sweet design with all sides considered.

[DRan]

^I made a list of 3 possible candidates of who I thought it would be.. Should see if I made a note...

[Jasper and one o nin]

GMH Architects, please please please!!!

[rapid_business]

Hoping Populous gets a nod for a supportive role at least. They are go-to, but well deserved.

[CMD UW]

I think I know who it is but at the same time not sure...

[Tower Crane]

We have a 3some.
Clark builders-Turner & Ledcor.

[s211]

GMH Architects, please please please!!!

I would KILL for a parody render of that. If only I were skilled in that respect.

[rapid_business]

Probably something like the Memphis Pyramid, but with 200% more gold-tinted glass and brass fixtures!

[MalcolmTucker]

Probably something like the Memphis Pyramid, but with 200% more gold-tinted glass and brass fixtures!
Aww yeah. Plus all light fixtures in the arena district themed as palm trees.

[Civilsector]

Is this fact. What would Ledcor gain by joining the Clark-Turner group. Not really a threesome considering Turner now owns 51%.

I hear Ellis Don is teaming with Hunt construction. Stuart Olson Dominion was talking to Mortenson construction group and now I hear they're talking to a larger firm out of the states, Lots of arena experience.

[Tower Crane]

RFQ is out - closes December 22.

Outside of a whole lot of RFQ info it calls for a arena designed for 18,400.

I guess we will see the list of 5 early in the new year, then the RFP comes out.

[Coldrsx]

Great to hear.

[EdmTrekker]

Where does the RFP close? As in to whose attention? There are rumblings....

[Coldrsx]

Northlands preparing for life after Oilers, says president/CEO


BY BILL MAH, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM DECEMBER 13, 2011 4:06 PM

0

STORYPHOTOS ( 1 )



Northlands president Richard Andersen
Photograph by: Supplied, edmontonjournal.com
Northlands will thrive even if the Edmonton Oilers — its anchor tenant and main drawing card — never play another game at Rexall Place after the team’s lease expires, president and CEO Richard Andersen said Tuesday.

The community service organization which runs Rexall Place arena, the Expo Centre exhibition complex and Northlands Park horse racing track is preparing for life after the Oilers.

That means competing for events to fill Rexall Place, which Northlands is considering renovating at its own expense.

In the 16 months since Andersen, a veteran pro sports facility manager, took the helm of Northlands, he has been looking for opportunities to reshape and refocus the organization.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Northlands+preparing+life+after+Oilers+says+president/5853896/story.html

[SHOFEAR]

They better not depend to much on Horse Racing...

Now that Lelacheur is running that fragile show it is doomed. That fuckhead destroyed 30 years of winning tradition and annual playoff dates while running the esks.

[rapid_business]

There were rumours a number of years ago of Northlands exploring reducing the seating in Rexall to just the lower bowl, and capping it above. I think the intent was a combo of a mid-size venue (which Edmonton needs) and more conference space above if they capped it (might have been a rumour and way off).

Has anyone heard any more about this?

I think this is a realistic format (mid-size venue) where Rexall could be competitive in a post-Oilers scenario, rather than competing against a similar sized venue that is 35 years newer.

[Coldrsx]

Logical given the alternatives.

[Jasper and one o nin]

Northlands is well suited to use the facility for the Rodeo, tractor pulls, monster trucks, bull-riding, agri-auctions, mud wrestling, bullifighting, food fights, gerbil racing, barn dances, line dances, chili cook-offs, Keith Urban concerts and anything else requiring a dirt surface.

[Coldrsx]

Mandel thinks arena will cost less than $450 Million
2:50pm
Click here to email Scott Johnston
12/20/2011

Mayor Stephen Mandel says he anticipates the actual cost of Edmonton's downtown arena will be lower than $450 million.
"It's going to have to be less than $450 million," said Mandel in his annual year end interview with iNews880.

And, the mayor's confidence comes from the fact that prices may be hot in Fort MacMurray, but here, there are enough contractors who want to work close to Edmonton and are willing to keep costs reasonable.

http://www.630ched.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1628887

[Coldrsx]

Dec 20 Arena Update - Interesting to see the community rink still being mentioned...

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/misc%20photos/Picture3-23.png

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x164/coldrsx/misc%20photos/Picture4-18.png

[rapid_business]

How sweet would a well designed outdoor community rink be? I know it would only be seasonal, but a slightly sunken outdoor rink, off to the side of the arena, with pick-up games going on before game-time, full flood lights, adjacent amenities like a heated outdoor patio overlooking it and minor-amounts of seating or reliefs in the sunken transition to the rink. In the summer it could be the go-to outdoor ball hockey venue in the city.

I think it could look and function very well.

[Coldrsx]

Yes, but not at the expense of a new indoor multi-purpose, multi-group community rink. GMAC can play here, community can have it for events and weekly skating, the Oilers can practice, perhaps even the Oil Kings....

[Jasper and one o nin]

Mandel thinks arena will cost less than $450 Million
2:50pm
Click here to email Scott Johnston
12/20/2011

And, the mayor's confidence comes from the fact that prices may be hot in Fort MacMurray, but here, there are enough contractors who want to work close to Edmonton and are willing to keep costs reasonable.

http://www.630ched.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1628887

Hey Scott Johnson, it's Mc not Mac!

[Xelebes]

How sweet would a well designed outdoor community rink be? I know it would only be seasonal, but a slightly sunken outdoor rink, off to the side of the arena, with pick-up games going on before game-time, full flood lights, adjacent amenities like a heated outdoor patio overlooking it and minor-amounts of seating or reliefs in the sunken transition to the rink. In the summer it could be the go-to outdoor ball hockey venue in the city.

I think it could look and function very well.

Floorball / Street hockey in the summer?

[mintzilla]

imagine if the arena and some parts of the entertainment district were in place for the hockey championships. the thousands of people visiting our city would have gotten a much better trip. (also may spend a little more cash than they otherwise would boosting the local economy)

[CMD UW]

Indeed. And many wouldn't have to worry about getting to the arena as they would simply walk or take a short cab ride.

[s4.audios]

Yup all because it took like four years to approve it. Fail.

[240glt]

^ & ^^ Awww do you need a tissue ?

The people at the game yesterday seemed like they were enjoying themselves, not that concerned that the arena was not downtown.

Hotels throughout the city were full.

[Jasper and one o nin]

^^are you on drugs? Do you think it takes a few months to get something like this done? There is a significant public interest involved. Lots of public money. Tons of politics and politicking. The only way this could have been "fast-tracked" is if Katz bought the land and built the arena himself. This is not a rec-centre or a library.
These things are incredibly complex, without even thinking about all the planning approvals - which by the way was fast-tracked (the Zoning Bylaw amendment).
Who fails by the way? The City? Katz? The public?

[TimB09]

Just thinking about this but the next time we host the World Juniors, there may be TWO arenas to host games in that hold over 15,000 in each arena and we won't have to share with Calgary either.

Both arenas would have a good public transportation system to them and with hotels full all over the place.

That'd be an ideal situation.

[ue]

^ & ^^ Awww do you need a tissue ?

The people at the game yesterday seemed like they were enjoying themselves, not that concerned that the arena was not downtown.

Hotels throughout the city were full.

Man you can be bitter sometimes. Yeah, people are likely to enjoy themselves at an NHL game no matter where it is located, because the main draw is the hockey, not the surrounding amenities. But that doesn't mean we can't have arenas in areas better suited for it which could offer many more amenities, not to mention great urban revitalization. It would also make the arena more accessible for the entire region (the heart of the city, make it it easier on those who live south of the river, in the SW, Leduc, Stony Grove, Beamont, etc.)

[Coldrsx]

Sure it would have been great to have things in place now, but I have had a fun world jrs so far. My only gripe is that there SHOULD have been something setup at Churchill.

[CMD UW]

^^are you on drugs? Do you think it takes a few months to get something like this done? There is a significant public interest involved. Lots of public money. Tons of politics and politicking. The only way this could have been "fast-tracked" is if Katz bought the land and built the arena himself. This is not a rec-centre or a library.
These things are incredibly complex, without even thinking about all the planning approvals - which by the way was fast-tracked (the Zoning Bylaw amendment).
Who fails by the way? The City? Katz? The public?I don't think he's been around long enough to fully understand how these deals come together.

[Coldrsx]

I look forward to a new hotel along with the first bit of the entertainment district. Curious to see who it will be. Hoping for a le ger.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Just thinking about this but the next time we host the World Juniors, there may be TWO arenas to host games in that hold over 15,000 in each arena and we won't have to share with Calgary either.

Both arenas would have a good public transportation system to them and with hotels full all over the place.

That'd be an ideal situation.

Exactamundo! I'm still quite bitter that Edmonton only hosts some of the round robins while Calgary gets the rest, including all the playoff games. Why bother calling it a joint Calgary/Edmonton thing? :rant:

[s4.audios]

No I'm not on drugs I was just making a simple point that it would have been a lot more beneficial if we had the ball rolling on this a few years back. I know such projects take a long time and much thought needs to be put in. But I do also believe that it could have worked out slightly faster. Both the city and katz were bad negotiators in my opinion and also considering how much misconception there still is out there.

And I agree the world juniors are still a success at rexall but would have been a whole different story if it was in a new arena. Just saying though with no drugs taken. I know even if the arena was approved a lot earlier it wouldnt have been ready to host the world juniors.

[MrOilers]

And I agree the world juniors are still a success at rexall but would have been a whole different story if it was in a new arena.

Next time they will be. :tup:

[CMD UW]

No I'm not on drugs I was just making a simple point that it would have been a lot more beneficial if we had the ball rolling on this a few years back. I know such projects take a long time and much thought needs to be put in. But I do also believe that it could have worked out slightly faster. Both the city and katz were bad negotiators in my opinion and also considering how much misconception there still is out there.

And I agree the world juniors are still a success at rexall but would have been a whole different story if it was in a new arena. Just saying though with no drugs taken. I know even if the arena was approved a lot earlier it wouldnt have been ready to host the world juniors.Katz became the official owner in July 2008. Even if they were able to broker a deal with the City in 2-years there is no way we would have a completed arena by now.

[mintzilla]

^ you would have hoped it would have at least been started...

[Coldrsx]

Wishing and reality is a wonderful line.

[MalcolmTucker]

Just thinking about this but the next time we host the World Juniors, there may be TWO arenas to host games in that hold over 15,000 in each arena and we won't have to share with Calgary either.

Both arenas would have a good public transportation system to them and with hotels full all over the place.

That'd be an ideal situation.
I'm not sure it would be worth it keeping an ice plant maintained at Northlands just for very occassional events, but that is just me.

[craner]

Just thinking about this but the next time we host the World Juniors, there may be TWO arenas to host games in that hold over 15,000 in each arena and we won't have to share with Calgary either.

Both arenas would have a good public transportation system to them and with hotels full all over the place.

That'd be an ideal situation.

I really like the fact that the two cities are sharing the hosting duties. I wish this would happen more often rather than being in competition with each other all the time.
:cheers:

[Jasper and one o nin]

^ completely agree. The two Cities could pool resources to host bigger international events.

[christopherj]

While I generally agree... I feel this is one event that is better suited for one city. Watching all the Canadian games here in Edmonton, but not being able to see the medal round (unless I pay scalper prices to buy a ticket in Calgary, or buy a ticket to all the games in Calgary - including ones I couldn't see because I'm at the games in Edmonton) is just a let down.

[240glt]

I'm not sure it would be worth it keeping an ice plant maintained at Northlands just for very occassional events, but that is just me.

The cooling plant and brine system at Rexall is at the end of its lifespan and starting to fail so to upgrade it and keep it going beyond the NHL move to the new arena is probably impractical. I imagine they'll limp it along until the Oilers/Oil Kings move and then de-commission it and focus on non-ice related events.

[craner]

^ completely agree. The two Cities could pool resources to host bigger international events.

Exactly!
I realize it doesn't work for every event but I think "bundling" the two cities creates a lot of potential to attract more events.

Anyway . . back to the new arena discussion. :)

[SHOFEAR]

While I generally agree... I feel this is one event that is better suited for one city. Watching all the Canadian games here in Edmonton, but not being able to see the medal round (unless I pay scalper prices to buy a ticket in Calgary, or buy a ticket to all the games in Calgary - including ones I couldn't see because I'm at the games in Edmonton) is just a let down.

A major benefit is the days of holding this tournament in small outposts around this country is over. This tournament is now all about the money for HC and they know they can sell out nhl barns for any game. While edmonton had to wait 30 years to get this tournment the first time I can garantee will not have to wait another 30 for the next one. NHL cities only.

[Coldrsx]

2011
City Council agreed on October 26 to move ahead with the design of a new downtown arena and approved a revised negotiated framework for the project. The table below outlines the projected timeline for the next steps in the development of the arena.

Decision Point
Estimated Timing
Council approval of land purchase October 14, 2011
Council approval of revised framework October 26, 2011
Council approval of capital project for design at cost of $30 million October 26, 2011
Council approval of Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy boundary October 26, 2011
Council approval of borrowing bylaws for land and design November 9, 2011
Council approval of schematic design 2nd quarter, 2012
Council approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price November 2012
Council approval of capital projects for arena building and adjacent infrastructure November 2012
Council approval of borrowing bylaw for arena project November 2012
Borrowing for arena project Based on construction schedule

http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/projects_redevelopment/downtown-arena-timelines.aspx

[Jasper and one o nin]

^ I just hope that they focus on creating a "place" unique to Edmonton and that specific part of downtown. There needs to be an integrated presentation to the public realm on all four sides, it must provide an outdoor sense of place, it needs to be a design that is unique and complements the built environment around it, emphasis on pedestrian movements, accommodating for a variety of mixed uses, public realm should be the central component, and most importantly - it has to be part of the community. In other words, do not design the building somewhere else and expect it to be dropped into the site and be successful. It must incorporate unique identifiers of the downtown community and the community itself has to be part of the urban design process. It has the potential to be great, and it has the potential to be terrible.

[Coldrsx]

^... all over that. Will advise.

[Tower Crane]

The city can't even hold a simple date and delivery on the January 5 committment to short list the cm contractor......they have extended their notification to January 16.
Just wasting more and more design and construction time.
I'm sure they have not extended the completion date.:shrug:

[feepa]

Rossetti Architiects Website

http://www.rossetti.com/

Edmonton Arena District

http://www.rossetti.com/projects/sports/EdmontonEntertainmentDistrict

New Edmonton Arena - Concept Design & Planning

http://www.rossetti.com/projects/sports/EdmontonNHLArena

[Jasper and one o nin]

Rossetti Architiects Website

http://www.rossetti.com/

Edmonton Arena District

http://www.rossetti.com/projects/sports/EdmontonEntertainmentDistrict

New Edmonton Arena - Concept Design & Planning

http://www.rossetti.com/projects/sports/EdmontonNHLArena

Site planning at 30,000 ft. will we ever learn? Lets start at the pedestrian and fan experience and move up from there. otherwise the whole idea/point of moving downtown is lost

[mick]

Aren't those images dated?

Also, since when did this project include the vacant parcels north of 105 ave? I'm guessing these are the initial concept drawings, not the detailed design work that I assume is underway.

[rapid_business]

Very dated. Concept work drawn up two (?) years ago I think.

[CMD UW]

Site planning at 30,000 ft. will we ever learn? Lets start at the pedestrian and fan experience and move up from there. otherwise the whole idea/point of moving downtown is lostIt's a concept. This group is also not the lead architect. There's a lot more details to come through on this.

[Coldrsx]

Very initial if I recall.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Rexall third-busiest concert venue in Canada in 2011

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Rexall+third+busiest+concert+venue+Canada+2011/5993332/story.html

EDMONTON - Rexall Place has skipped up the charts. In 2011, the venue was 27th busiest on the planet, moving up from No. 31 in 2010, according to Pollstar’s annual report.

The aging building is the busiest concert venue in Western Canada with 370,392 tickets sold last year. The only other Canadian venues with more concert visits across Canada were Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, which is ninth in the world with 592,695 seats sold, and Montreal’s Bell Centre, sitting at No. 16, boasting 488,009 arena concertgoers. A comparison of the eastern cities’ metro area populations — between more than three and five times as big as Edmonton — shows a nice marriage between our disposable income and music enthusiasm. While Rexall has held third spot in Canada for years, per capita Edmonton music fans come out in notably greater numbers than those in Montreal and Toronto.

Top-selling venue in the world was The O2 in London, England, with more than 1.9 million tickets sold.

The figures include ticket sales to concerts and family events, but not sporting events

[s4.audios]

Here's to number one in a new dt arena :cheers:

[EdmTrekker]

Northlands would be smart to transform the coliseum into a 10,000 seat venue, with comfort seating, drink holders throughout, enhancing bar and lunge services. Fact is the new Katz arena will be a hockey rink first and foremost - and Northlands could give us a premium mid size concert venue that is the best on the planet. It needs a major think and reno to do it. I would support tax dollars for such a specialized venue.

[CanadianCentaur]

^ Not to mention a home for the Edmonton Oil Kings, like what Vancouver does with the Pacific Coliseum, which was home to the Canucks before Rogers Arena went up in 1995, and is now home to the Vancouver Giants. In fact, the Pacific Coliseum is probably the best idea of what the future looks like to Rexall Place.

[bulliver]

^ But isn't the ice plant a huge expense for keeping Rexall open for hockey? I wonder if it would be viable to keep it open without the ice aspect, and focus on concerts and other similar events.

[edm_guy]

Katz owns the Oil Kings so it would be very unlikely he would let them continue playing at Rexall

[CanadianCentaur]

^ Very good point here. I forgot about this one.

[SHOFEAR]

Katz owns the Oil Kings so it would be very unlikely he would let them continue playing at Rexall

Yup. There are no parallels to the vancouver situation.

[CanadianCentaur]

Okay, write off my original comment (the Pacific Coliseum one) as blatantly uninformed and ignorant. :haha:

[Coldrsx]

Expect some announcements in the next few minutes/hour.

[oiler-dude]

360 Architects selected for the Downtown Arena (per David Staples Twitter)

ICON Venue Group selected as Project Manager for the Downtown Arena (http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/news/2012/icon-selected-as-project-manager-for-proposed-downtown-arena.aspx)

[Jasper and one o nin]

360 did AA arena Miami, and the Meadowlands in NY.
AA arena is 18,500 seats. Nice arena.

[Coldrsx]

^not to mention Columbus and KC.

[Coldrsx]

David now back tracking a little

"dstaples David Staples
City pr Robert Moyles says Icon is confirmed, but contract with 360 Architecture not finalized. Negotiations with them on-going. #Oilers"

[Calgarian]

Rexall third-busiest concert venue in Canada in 2011

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/Rexall+third+busiest+concert+venue+Canada+2011/5993332/story.html

I'm really surprised Rexall sold about 3x as many concert tickets as the Saddledome did, I thought the days of Edmonton getting more major shows were long gone. Does Edmonton have a smaller venue like the Corral in Calgary (can hold smaller large concerts around 5000 people)? that could be one reason for the difference...

[Coldrsx]

^yup...EXPO centre across the street and even the SHAW downtown Edmonton.

[ExcaliburKid]

I'm really surprised Rexall sold about 3x as many concert tickets as the Saddledome did, I thought the days of Edmonton getting more major shows were long gone. Does Edmonton have a smaller venue like the Corral in Calgary (can hold smaller large concerts around 5000 people)? that could be one reason for the difference...

Calgary probably would get more big ticket shows in the Saddledome, but as I understand it, the way the Saddledome ceiling is designed it simply cannot support the weight of the lights and elaborate stages/sets that most major artists are now using in their shows.