Edmontonians

OK. It’s time for me to weigh in on the Edmonton "entertainment complex" issue.

To be clear I'm on the very positive side of the "I really want one of these" debate, but not at ‘any cost’ and certainly not under the ‘cloudy skies’ of transparency that I see right now.

Like most others in our city I’m a tad confused on the Katz Group approach, so far, to building this great new complex.



So let's review. We want to develop an area that includes: great shopping, several top notch retail outlets, hotel(s), movie theaters, restaurants and bars, and it has to have lots of parking spots and all be centered around a hockey rink!

Correct?



Bingo.

What’s the concern? We already have one. It's called West Edmonton Mall.



Ok they'd have to charge for parking at WEM and add a few seats to the arena to make it work, (I jest!) and they’d have to hope that people forget that the Mall ‘is’ the reason our downtown core got decimated a generation ago.



But seriously, with no disrespect to the great job that Jim Taylor and the Downtown Business Association has done over the past several years, there is no doubt that the downtown needs to be further revitalized and an ‘on going plan of improvement’ be unveiled for the ‘former’ City of Champions but I’m terribly concerned about the way this whole thing has been brought forward to the citizens of our city to date.

First off, the timing is horrible.

We have an election coming this fall and our Mayor (and several Councilors ), have to protect the non sporting fans interests (rightfully so) and they probably don't want to wear the referee's uniform on the Arena issue by making it the main point of interest in a city that is going through massive growing pains and has several other ‘must need’ concerns to deal with BEFORE we build this new edifice.



But the biggest baffling point to me is at the man who's vision we are asking to embrace has not been seen anywhere in public except on You Tube.

To this point only Katz Group or Edmonton Oiler officials have presented drawings and concepts publicly to date.

Other than the “zoning” meeting the ‘big players’ (Katz/City of Edmonton/Northlands) have not been in the same room at the same time getting the concerns of each in a face to face progressive discussion.

Now rich people are a different sort from you and I but one thing I know is at they got rich off the money from the same people who are the ones who are asking the relevant questions - that being - who is going to pay for this – and what’s the benefit in my back yard?





Next I think the people of this city need a few more major corporate names to publicly state that they have indeed bought in.

Names like Westin, Mariott, Best Buy, Sears, Canadian tire, etc – or better stated… “the companies that will be making considerable profits off of people in that area who are attending the games supporting businesses in this new complex.



Next, I think the people of Edmonton would like to see a little more respect displayed for Northlands, who seemingly are being left out of the cold at this moment. 



Northlands economic impact on our city has been huge and has operated very successfully for a very long time in the ‘entertainment’ field in Edmonton.

They have the expertise – the contacts – and the ‘depth’ to handle that portion of the needs while the hockey team focuses on “getting out of the bottom of the league” during this same three year time frame to build the arena complex.

This should be a ‘partnership’ not a ‘competition’ between buildings.

On another point, Edmonton Oilers President Patrick LaForge had promised me an explanation on the Oiler Community Foundation story about the exceedingly high ‘expense rate’ that they operate their foundation under – in order to help build “City High” downtown. Unfortunately deadlines didn’t align and I didn’t receive the document.

I know their intention is good; and the project very worthwhile, but running a highly expensive lottery up against the United Way; Caritas Foundation and the Royal Alexander Hospital Foundation simply doesn’t make sense. Time to rethink that and focus on what you do best while the fundraisers focus on what they do best.

Finally this is no time for smoke and mirrors.

I like what I saw at the Art Gallery demo day and I'm pleased at the hiring of highly respected media guy Steve Hogle, as that signifies ‘new blood’ in the organization, but please Mr. Katz – “get off the Internet and get your 'brass' in front of the media and the people of Edmonton” so that we can get tons big questions answered by the guy who ultimately has the final say.

Book Rexall Place. Put the media in the front few rows; then fill the rest of the seats with concerned citizens. Open the mic up – and answer the tough questions – all of them – and get us ‘all’ on side of the proposal.

Bring Kevin Lowe too – he’s the biggest link from the very successful past to the ‘who knows’ what future of this hockey team.

Put ALL the positives on the table.

It’s time!

Or I simply think you’ll be risking a plebiscite and from past history that probably won’t play well in to your favour.

Edmonton needs to know….Who pays for what? Who benefits from this? When will the Northlands scenario be announced? When will we win the Stanley Cup? Are we going to pay controversial “Seat Ownership” fees?

Edmonton is long known as a city that doesn’t think big (sorry guys – had to say it) – and this is a very very BIG deal with ‘great’ benefits for Edmonton.

Not being totally visible and transparent is not the way to go… being a little “Trump-ish” wouldn’t hurt a bit at this time.