Downtown Event & Entertainment District
City Administration seeks Council approval to begin DEED partnership talks with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
What is Council being asked to approve?
On June 24, Administration is asking City Council for approval to explore a potential strategic partnership with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District.
This is not approval of a final agreement. If approved, it would allow Administration to begin direct negotiations. Any future agreement, land arrangement, governance structure, financial commitment or legal agreement would also be subject to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s own governance and approval processes.
Why is the City exploring this partnership?
This work reflects the long-term vision for the District as a project shaped through collaboration with the community and businesses.
It also responds to earlier Council direction to explore Indigenous placemaking and partnership opportunities as part of the District’s development.
What could the partnership include?
Early discussions point to opportunities that could extend beyond entertainment and hospitality development and could include possible operating opportunities connected to the new convention centre and event centre.
What happens if Council approves this?
If Council approves the recommendation, Administration would begin negotiations, develop possible partnership terms and report back to Council.
Any future financial commitments, land arrangements, governance decisions or legal agreements would still require Council approval. Any future agreement, land arrangement, governance structure, financial commitment or legal agreement would also be subject to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s own governance and approval processes.
The Administration would also report back to City Council every two months to update City Council on the progress of negotiations.
Visit the Resources page on the website for the full list of project reports and other information.
A vibrant downtown supports a strong economy, creates a sense of community and provides a place for people to come together, in addition to attracting more people to live Downtown.
To get a full picture of the possibilities, you can view the Conceptual Design Report here.
See all the renderings and find a link to a virtual reality experience on the Designing Reasons to Come and Connections to Get There page
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Developing and re-envisioning Downtown Saskatoon has been identified as a priority area in the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. A potential Downtown Event & Entertainment District will create a place for people and businesses to come together for the economic, cultural and social success of the city and surrounding area. Linked to the rest of the city by the future Link rapid transit system, the vision for the Downtown Event & Entertainment District is that of a centre of commerce, tourism, services and entertainment. From major arena events, to shopping, restaurants, conventions, nightlife and a thriving business community, Downtown Saskatoon will become a destination with something for everyone.
A new Downtown event centre/arena, a new/enhanced convention centre, and the future BRT are the public infrastructure investments that will drive investments in other areas of the District, benefiting Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.
As we work together on this city-building project, we acknowledge our ancestors and future generations. We honour Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis, by sharing this land under Treaty with the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, Métis, Dene and Non-Indigenous peoples. We are all Treaty People.
Going forward, the City will work with people, businesses and other orders of government to develop an innovative funding plan that minimizes future property tax increases for the major infrastructure investments to support the development of the District.
Journey to the District - The Story So Far
The journey to the creation of a Downtown Event & Entertainment District started with the recognition of aging infrastructure and has evolved into a vision for an active, exciting and economically-vibrant Downtown - and the journey continues.
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Designing Reasons to Come & Connections to Get There
Together, an event centre/arena and convention centre will anchor the new Downtown Event & Entertainment District, while future Bus Rapid Transit routes will reliably get people to and from the area.
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Benefits to the District
A Downtown event centre/arena and new/enhanced convention centre, connected to the rest of the city with the Link rapid transit system, will drive investment in Downtown Saskatoon and create significant economic benefits.
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Project Governance and Advisory Group
The Journey to the District is built upon collaboration. The governance structure is key to this by engaging stakeholders from across the community and working with a key set of Advisors through our Advisory Group.
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Downtown Saskatoon
The City Centre and District serve as the geographical and metaphorical Ohtennah, the “collective heart” of Saskatoon. What happens in the City Centre and District has a direct impact on the rest of the city.
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Resources
Information and resources including news releases, accessible documents, backgrounders, videos, FAQs and more.
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