Arena construction on time and on budget, says city report

The site has been excavated, the concrete’s been poured, and the new downtown arena is on track to be finished September 2, 2016, according to a report by the city. 

Edmonton has already spent about 27 per cent of the $332 million they have committed for construction.

The city will request $25 million this month from the Alberta Community Partnership Program, which provides grants to projects that benefit communities.

They also plan to ask for more funding from other provincial and federal sources. 

Construction has also begun on the new community rink, which will be part of development.

Community rink also part of project

City administration has started giving some thought to how the facility will operate once the ice is ready.

The Edmonton Oilers will occupy the rink on weekdays, and McEwan University will be on the ice in late afternoons. The rest of the time will be used for community programming.

The city also began a traffic study to look at the volume of cars driving downtown on game nights.

Council will review a report on the arena’s progress on Tuesday.