Boyle Street, Katz Group reach ‘positive resolution’ in $5M legal battle
Posted June 11, 2025 2:08 pm.
An Edmonton homeless organization and a real estate group have come to a “positive resolution” following a legal battle.
Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) and Katz Group Real Estate did not provide additional details of the resolution in a brief joint statement, with both telling CityNews they would not be making further comments.
At the heart of the legal dispute was a conditional $5 million donation linked to the construction of the King Thunderbird Centre – or okimaw peyesew kamik in Cree – a new support centre facility for BSCS at 107 Avenue and 99 Street.
In a civil lawsuit filed against Boyle Street last year, a Katz Group subsidiary claimed the $5 million was being offered to BSCS in the event the homeless organization could not meet its fundraising goals of $8.5 million by a specified deadline. That donation would decrease if Boyle Street reached the $8.5 million threshold.
But the Katz Group claims BSCS failed to make enough effort to raise the funds.
Boyle Street filed a statement of defence denying allegations of insufficient fundraising efforts.
Now months later, hat legal battle is settled, the two parties say.
“The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and Katz Group Real Estate are lead and foundational supporters of Boyle Street’s new okimaw peyesew kamik (King Thunderbird Centre) and our organizations are looking forward to continuing to grow our strong relationship,” the statement reads.
In 2021, the Katz Group purchased Boyle Street’s downtown building, the sale of which included the conditional donation and a $10 million contribution from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.
Boyle Street Community Services shuttered that downtown location in September 2023 when their lease expired. The charity said at the time although they were offered an extension to their lease it was no longer “financially viable” to stay there.
Since then, the organization has spread its support services across the inner city.
Construction of the King Thunderbird Centre was initially expected to be completed at the end of last year. But certain obstacles, such as permitting issues, have delayed the project.
The King Thunderbird Centre reached the halfway point of construction in April, and is now slated to open next fall.
Once completed, the centre will feature cultural rooms, support services, and wrap-around care for Edmonton’s homless and vulnerable populations. It is expected to support around 7,000 people annually.
