Oilers reach agreement with city on arena, slated to open in fall of 2016

[Johnnydollaz89]

The Edmonton Oilers are going to get their arena.
On Tuesday the organization announced that after a final meeting with the city of Edmonton, the project to build Rogers Place -- with its oil drop design -- in downtown has been given the clearence. Construction will begin next month and the arena should be completed by the fall of 2016 to officially take over as the host of the Oilers.
"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."
This is a longtime dream come true for owner Darryl Katz.
"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," Katz said. "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."
The long and sometimes contentious negotiations for an arena to replace Rexall Place had one sticking point through it all and that of course involved money. More specifically not only who would pay how much for the new arena but who could cover cost overruns as well. That has all been sorted out.
The arena itself is slated to cost $480 million and a total project that will include other aspects is priced at $606.5 million, all part of helping to revitalize downtown Edmonton. With a Guaranteed Maximum Price agreement, any overruns will be covered by the construction company, not the city or the team.
So much for that threat relocation.

Oilers reach agreement with city on arena, slated to open in fall of 2016 - CBSSports.com

Good for them and the city.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

 

[dash]

Yes, I like to poke fun at the Oilers, but this is good news for both Edmonton and Calgary.

/Hopefully, a new arena to replace the Saddledome will be ready within the next five years.

 

[forty_three]

How many stadiums in Canada will be named Rogers?


Also, how hard will it be to throw a jersey on the ice from the seats?

 

[dash]

Also, how hard will it be to throw a jersey on the ice from the seats?

Depends if you're sitting in the first tier, second tier, or third tier.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Good for the Oilers

 

[esls79]

An early and rough rendering of what the new arena may look like

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I'm amazed that a team this dysfunctional can get a brand new arena.

 

[mattola]

good for edmonton and as dash said for calgary as well. they both need new arenas to get stronger and more healthy for the NHL as a whole. but please Edmonton... dont change... dont change

 

[dash]

Matty, the Stamps need a new stadium as well (one with a retractable roof would be ideal).

 

[mattola]

Matty, the Stamps need a new stadium as well (one with a retractable roof would be ideal).

you get the fans for it. I would really miss Old McMahon Stadium. I spent some pretty quality nights there when I lived in Calgary for Stamps/Lions UBC/UofC then off to the Moose for Dino Ribs and Beers.

 

[dash]

McMahon Stadium has great sight lines and I had a ton of fun there as a U of C student and in my post-University days as well (it's a good thing my apartment was within crawling distance, man, I'm surprised I didn't fall down the stadium stairs a couple of times (lol).

 

[BlueWolfZero]

At long last....and thanks for the kind words Dash

 

[DevilishWon]

Oilers reach agreement with city on arena, slated to open in fall of 2016 - CBSSports.com

Good for them and the city.

How the hell is Bettman gonna move them to New Orleans now????