TCU Place CEO backs SaskTel Centre’s pitch to run downtown arena, convention centre

The CEO of Saskatoon’s TCU Place is on board with the idea of local organizations running the city’s planned downtown arena and convention centre, rather than an American company.

Tammy Sweeney was not part of the presentation made by members of SaskTel Centre’s board of directors at the North Saskatoon Business Association’s luncheon last month, but she said the idea is one that deserves more attention because there’s a lot of local knowledge that could benefit the proposed facilities, and possibly some deeper funding pockets as well.

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Sweeney said SaskTel Centre and TCU Place, which are set to merge next year, “are both successful organizations,” and said taking advantage of that local expertise to run the new arena and convention centre “keeps that money local.”

Saskatoon City Council is currently considering a potential agreement with the Denver-based Oakview Group (OVG) 360.

“We are pleased to bring forward a proposed agreement framework for the operation of the future facility, which was developed with OVG through a competitive bidding process,” Dan Willems, the City of Saskatoon’s director of technical services, said in a statement issued in October.

But council put the brakes on that just a short time later, indicating more time was needed to evaluate the proposal, and for council to meet with local organizations that might be affected.

Sweeney said there’s a lot of money that might be spent by an outside operator to do what’s already being done in Saskatoon. She said SaskTel Centre holds about 100 events a year, while TCU place holds roughly 400 – about 300 conventions and another 100 performing arts events.

“About 60 to 70 per cent of our guests come from outside of our postal code, which means that money they’re bringing in for those 400 events is new money into our community,” she added.

Money spent by patrons, groups and tourists fuels local stores, hotels, and restaurants, Sweeney said, adding that SaskTel Centre and TCU Place are strong organizations that deliver value to the city and share a similar community function. The two organizations are also working towards merging next year.

“That actually helps the picture, to say ‘Once they’re merged together, and systems are integrated, and a security plan looks at both organizations… we are positioned well to move into the future for the new facilities down the road, and we’re positioned well to operate these facilities,’” Sweeney added.

In an interview on The Evan Bray Show last month, Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block said she thinks more consideration should be given to a “local” solution. The original thinking was that an outside partner needed to come in “really strong,” with capital dollars and an operating plan, she said.

“I think what we heard from local folks is that we should take another look at local, and really ask ourselves – what are the upsides of both, and what is our long term strategy,” Block said.

In an industry built on relationships, Sweeney said she believes that potentially disrupting the relationships already built with established clients may risk future business.

“If we can raise local capital to be able to match or exceed what Oakview Group is bringing to the table, and we have the expertise to run it… then it makes sense to stay local,” she added.

Without sharing names, Sweeney suggested there are local groups that have already stepped forward and offered to do just that, and maybe bring even more money than the U.S. group.

The matter is scheduled to go before councilors next month. Representatives from OVG 360 are expected to attend the city council meeting when the decision on who may run the downtown arena and convention centre is likely to be made.