A night on the town, Edmonton Arena Project style

(Editor’s note: We’ve got a great take on the downtown arena open house from Paul coming up.

After you read his thoughtful thoughts, check out all the other arena links. I kind of short-changed you in the Headlines to give you the full arena package here. You’ll forgive me in about 15 minutes, when you’re a freakin’ expert on the open house.)

By Paul Poulsen:

When it was announced that we would have a new art gallery in the heart of downtown, I couldn’t have been less excited. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not anti-art. It’s just that I’m more of a monster truck/pie eating contest kind of guy. The art gallery was a project I didn’t really care about and I truly thought I would never step foot in the building.

Well imagine my surprise when I found myself looking forward to attending the Edmonton Arena Project Open House last night (May 6th).

At the Art Gallery of Alberta.

I anticipated seeing some drawings of the proposed arena complex and some rah-rah propaganda. What I wasn’t prepared for was the depth of work and research that has already gone into the arena project.

The Katz Group obviously spent an enormous amount of time preparing answers for any questions proponents or opponents may have. From peak hour traffic volumes to environmental impact plans, there was an answer for every question imaginable.

Almost.

The one topic left unspoken was how this this was going to be paid for. That said, I understand the importance of secrecy while the Katz Group and city council are negotiating who will pay how much for what.

So what did I take from the event aside from the fact that the conceptual drawings look really, really cool? I left the AGA even more firmly entrenched in my position that Edmontonians should be willing partners to get this development built.

Don’t get me wrong: I don’t want to give Mr. Katz a blank cheque. But I really and truly believe this is a once in a generation kind of project that all Edmontonians should be excited about.

You’re not a hockey fan? So what.

I hate have a strong dislike for children but I fully accept that I’m partially responsible to pay for schools. I only use public transit when going to an Oilers game, an Eskimos game or the Indy yet I couldn’t be more proud of the fact that my tax dollars went to fund the new LRT expansion.

Before I ever heard of the Edmonton Arena Project, I swore that there would never be a reason for me to step foot in the Art Gallery of Alberta. Yet, last night, there I was.

I’m willing to bet that once this arena is built (and it IS a case of “when” not “if”), even the most ardent opponent to this development will attend a concert, a sporting event, or some currently unforeseen occasion, and be truly impressed with what the Katz Group and city council worked to build on their behalf.

—–

(Now, back to me.)

Journal: Edmontonians flock to arena open house…Not convinced, not at all…Edmonton citizens both blast and praise Katz Group executives at open house

Sun: Katz’s downtown arena open house draws hundreds…Selling the idea of downtown arena

Metro: Public gets peek at Arena District

CBC: Katz Group holds open house on arena plans

CHED/iNews: Katz Group hears positives about arena district project

Global: (I mentioned my troubles with the video player, so just work your way around to find their story. Sorry.)

CTV: Edmontonians gets a glimpse at Katz Group’s plan for new arena