Coliseum ideas call for seniors, student housing ELISE STOLTE

Proponents make submissions public in hopes of stirring debate

Edmonton could still save the Coliseum by repurposing it for private seniors and student housing around a large, sun-filled atrium.

It could also use the public land south of 118 Avenue for a “makerpark,” opening the horse barns, track and other historic pieces up to Edmonton residents for public markets, gardens and experimental spaces.

Those are just two of the 12 formal submissions and 50 ideas submitted after Edmonton issued a request for expressions of interest on the former Northlands exhibition lands this year.

Two proponents released ideas publicly after submissions closed last week, hoping to spark a creative debate on the future of what’s always been a key destination in Edmonton.

Architect Ben Gardner said the Coliseum could easily be turned into housing with student apartments facing into a “beautiful, green, well-lit atrium,” similar to how HUB Mall works on the University of Alberta campus.

He calls it the Agora Borealis. Seniors units would ring the outside, built on the existing concourses, which are easily strong enough to hold several floors of units. Only the concrete stands for seats would have to be removed, and the atrium would give seniors a safe, open place to walk during the winter.

“The project appears to be quite viable,” said Michael Koski of Canadian Mortgage Strategies and Investments. He’s helped arrange financing for projects across Canada for the last 22 years, including for Scotia Place and the Enbridge Tower locally, and worked with Gardner on the pitch. Ledcor, DesignWorks Engineering and others have also helped with the initial feasibility analysis.