Downtown arena rises from the ground: Get a peek at what will be inside

EDMONTON - A controversial project some Edmontonians thought would never be built is slowly taking shape on a former downtown freight yard.

Construction began in March on the new $480-million arena for the Oilers, with excavators digging hundreds of truckloads of dirt a day to carve out the structures foundations. When finished in 2016, the facility will be 60 per cent larger than Rexall Place, and will have room for a couple thousand more spectators, as well as more washrooms, better technology and larger, more comfortable seats.

Some details are still being worked out how many and what kind of food and drink vendors, the exact features of the big scoreboard, what events will be held in the adjoining Winter Garden pedway but most of the plans have been ironed out.

Yet, the controversy that has dogged the project for years still isnt gone. On one hand, critics continue to call the arena a city-subsidized playpen for millionaire hockey players and their billionaire owner Daryl Katz. On the other, fans argue it will keep NHL hockey in Edmonton for at least another 35 years and kick off a downtown development boom.

So it doesnt come as much of a surprise that Katz Group officials now say that the talks to reach a deal didnt always go smoothly.

The city, we felt at the Katz Group, was focused on designing the arena to the hard $450-million budget, Katz Group vice-president Bob Black says. I think the city perceived the Katz Group as designing without regard to a budget.

But last year, the two sides finally came to an agreement. Then, PCL Construction had to guarantee it would build what was wanted for $480 million and eat any overruns.

To do that, PCL, project manager Icon Venue Group, subtrades and others that found ways to do work faster, cheaper or more efficiently. They saved tens of thousands of dollars alone by changing a bracket for a gutter mounting that cant even be seen, says city project manager Rick Daviss.

The facility is intended to provide a special experience to ensure people keep coming back, Black says. Ultimately, were competing with the big screen, high definition TV and our fans couch at home.

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Downtown arena rises from the ground: Get a peek at what will be inside