Calgary to break ground on new rink, Edmonton still waiting for their provincial money

Calgary is expected to break ground on a new NHL arena Monday and unveil fresh renderings of the $926 million project.

The deal includes $330 million from the province for surrounding infrastructure.

Edmonton, however, is still waiting for Alberta to match those dollars.

“There have been a few conversations but nothing that’s public yet, nothing ready for public consumption” said Tim Cartmell, an Edmonton city councillor.

The capital city was shut out of provincial money for Rogers Place, when that agreement was signed in 2013.

Last year, Premier Danielle Smith said she was willing to talk about evening things up.

How and when that happens, a topic of conversation as she and fellow politicians work the festival circuit this week in Edmonton.

“I would love to take that $330 million and use it as seed funding to ignite housing growth downtown. To see it going into new housing, new parks, new transit, new infrastructure,” said Michael Janz, an Edmonton city councillor.

One of the suggestions for the money — if it arrives — is to use some of it to tear down the old home of the Oilers. Council has approved demolition of the coliseum next year for $35 million.

The NDP MLA for Edmonton City Centre — where the arena district sits — welcomes an equitable investment.

He also wants more provincial funds for supportive housing in Edmonton to help people living on the streets near the arena.

“This should not just be a conversation just between the premier and the Oilers Entertainment Group, we should see engagement with city council, I’d love to see some engagement with community leagues,” said David Shepherd, Edmonton City Centre MLA.

The premier did not take questions from journalists Thursday, but a spokesperson confirmed the province is still hammering out a deal with the city and the Oilers Entertainment Group to “explore” which downtown projects will be funded.