City circles Riversdale as potential site for downtown arena, convention centre

The city has revealed the first potential site for new arena and convention centre in downtown Saskatoon.

A city owned tract of land west of Idylwyld Drive and south of 19th Street has been identified as one of a number of site options for an entertainment district where a new arena would be built.

In a city report released Thursday, city staff said the River Land site, known as Parcel G, was slated to be put up for sale this summer, but has been held off the market until the city investigates other potential sites.

“Upon completion of the engagement and reporting process for the Downtown Entertainment District, Saskatoon Land will then be in a position to either release the River Landing site for sale, or formally announce that the development site will not be released as it will be held for a future Downtown Entertainment Districtlocation,” said the report.

In September, the city announced it was in the process 0f locking up private land. Once agreements are in place and city staff finish studying the locations, the options will be released to the public for feedback.

A 2018 report commissioned by the boards in charge of TCU Place and SaskTel Centre, pegged the cost of arena and convention centre between $330 million and $375 million.