Northlands plans Oilers-less future
Renovations, hotel possible at Rexall Place
EDMONTON — Northlands has started looking at what the future holds after the Oilers leave Rexall Place for the new downtown arena.
The non-profit society recently began work on a long-term master plan for the site that will likely be f inished in early 2015, executive director of operations Mike Derbyshire said Wednesday.
The move was requested a few weeks ago by the Northlands board of directors.
“Now that we have some clear direction about what’s happening with the Oilers, it allows us to have a vision for the whole site,” he said.
“Everything is on the table. We’re looking at all the options for what
Northlands is absolutely at a bit of a crossroads
MAYOR DON IVESON
160 acres in the middle of the city looks like.”
Last year, then Northlands president Richard Andersen said he wanted to renovate Rexall Place so it could continue hosting concerts once the Oilers move in 2016.
Derbyshire couldn’t indicate what might be done with Rexall, but said this is a chance to update plans last made in 1999.
The possibilities include a longdiscussed hotel at the site, he said, adding community members will be consulted.
One certainty is the heavily used Expo Centre will continue operating where it is, Derbyshire said.
The city is looking to build a $30-million enclosed second-storey pedway between the centre and the Coliseum LRT station so customers can avoid bad weather.
Council’s transportation committee wants information about costs, development plans for the area and other details in an October report.
But committee members agreed the station needs work.
They complained the exposed platform is cold, the facility has seen few upgrades since it was built in 1978 and many riders don’t feel safe.
“If I say this station is the most user-unfriendly station, that’s an understatement,” Coun. Amarjeet Sohi said. “This station is horrible from a user’s point of view.”
Mayor Don Iveson hopes Northlands, which supports the proposed pedway, will be able to provide lottery money to help with construction once details are known.
He’d like to see more collaboration on conventions and other events between Northlands and the Shaw Conference Centre.
He’s also interested to see the results of Northlands’ new master plan.
“Northlands is absolutely at a bit of a crossroads with the uncertainty about the future of the (Rexall Place) building,” he said. “I’m glad they’re looking at some of their options.”