POTENTIAL LOCATION ONCE TOUTED AS HOME FOR CASINO

Fifteen years ago, Saskatoon citizens voted against building a casino on the parking lot north of Midtown Plaza and TCU Place.

Now, as Saskatoon city hall contemplates the possibility of a new downtown arena and convention centre, attention has turned to the same location.

The consultants’ report, commissioned by Sasktel Centre and TCU Place, suggests a new facility should be considered and it should be built downtown.

The report says “several (downtown) locations were identified for future consideration,” but keeps the locations confidential.

Since the new arena discussion began two years ago, some online speculation has focused on the block bordered by 22nd Street, 23rd Street, Pacific Avenue and First Avenue.

The 15-storey Hilton Garden Inn occupied the southeast corner of the block and a Holiday Inn is located just west of the block. The former Saskatchewan Transportation Company depot lies north of the block.

The area around the block looks ripe for development or redevelopment, which is likely why many have zeroed in on the location.

The strategy behind building arenas in downtown locations entails attracting investment in nearby properties to revitalize an area.

The casino vote took place in 2003. Since then, the block was featured in the 2014 city centre plan as one of three planned public plazas downtown.

The public plazas were intended to make downtown more livable and convince more people to live in the core. The plaza north of TCU Place featured trees, benches, a stage and a winter skating rink. Phil Tank