New videos to persuade residents of potential of new Saskatoon entertainment district

Saskatoon’s geography puts it halfway between Winnipeg and major Alberta cities Calgary and Edmonton — the perfect location to justify turning Saskatoon’s downtown into a beautiful, thriving metropolis.

That’s the view Brent Penner holds as executive director of Downtown Saskatoon.

He said Tuesday he feels Saskatoon is missing out on opportunities other cities with downtown event and entertainment districts are enjoying.

“When you look across the country and the landscape (and) the fact that we have an arena where we do, we’re an outlier and an anomaly,” Penner explained.

Considerations like the increasing ages of entertainment facilities like TCU Place are prompting the discussion for Saskatoon’s next steps in terms of replacing and upgrading its entertainment opportunities.

“These are (new) facilities that we have outside experts and our own local experts tell us that are needed,” Penner explained.

The creation of a downtown event and entertainment district will draw tourism, allow visitors convenience and ease, support Saskatoon’s economy, and encourage performers and entertainers to consider Saskatoon as a viable stage.

“It’s time to reinvest in those facilities to ensure we have what we need for the next 50 and 60 years,” Penner said.

That’s why the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District is going to be releasing videos to its social media accounts over the next several weeks. The videos will aim to give the public a better sense of the impact the proposed downtown event and entertainment district would have on the city.

Cynthia Block at the Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel on April 5, 2022. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

Saskatoon city councillor Cynthia Block sits on the downtown improvement board and she’s the strategic lead for the downtown area and co-chair of the advisory committee for the proposed downtown event and entertainment district.

Both Block and Penner said the entire project is still very new, with the appointees helping guide the process only just announced recently.

Conversations about where to put the district — Penner mentioned the importance of walkability in the core downtown area for tourism convenience — how to make the district welcoming for everyone, and how to receive feedback in a “meaningful way” from people across Saskatoon are just beginning as the project begins to gain traction.

But it will be a while before it breaks ground. Block said considerations like construction have yet to be addressed, especially as a definite location still has not been chosen.

“As a councillor that represents older neighbourhoods and also areas that are in and near the core, it’s hard,” Block said, referring to the construction impact a major project such as this one could have on Saskatoon’s downtown.

She said ensuring things go smoothly and making sure businesses can make plans for the disruption will be part of the discussions and issues the Downtown Saskatoon group considers.

“It will be many years before we start to have those conversations,” she shared.

As someone who is Saskatoon-proud, Block said she is “hopeful and optimistic” the project will be located downtown.

Though the project has been in discussion since 2018, Block said the options they’re considering for location will have to undergo detailed analysis and discussions with engineers. It will also help to eliminate some of the locations they’re considering as options.

“How do all those pieces move together, that we can actually create a district for our community and beyond?” Block asked.

As for the price tag, Penner said they don’t know exactly who’s footing how much of the bill for this project, but certainly a portion of it will be shouldered by Saskatoon taxpayers. But Penner said the project will offer return on investment for the city.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Drew Stremick