Council to Discuss Downtown Event and Entertainment District Private Partner Agreement Framework
A report for the October 29 regular business meeting of City Council sets out the proposed agreement framework for a private operating partnership with OVG360 (OVG), one of the world’s leading full-service facility management teams with over 300 client-partners that span arenas, stadiums, convention centres and performing arts centres globally.
“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” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services. “We are looking forward to getting Council’s feedback and direction on this important step.”
Willems adds the report is another step toward achieving a funding plan and not an approval for any construction to start.
The procurement process started in January 2024 when City Council approved a procurement approach for a private partner for operations management of one or both of the anchor facilities for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District. An RFP was issued to pre-qualified proponents in February 2024 and closed on April 25, 2024. After the evaluation of proposals, the submission from OVG was deemed the highest scoring and negotiations commenced.
Additional Project Background
August 2024
August 14: Downtown Event and Entertainment District – Private Partner Agreement Framework. Forwarded to City Council August 28 meeting as an approval report or at such time OVG was able to be in attendance.
September 2024
September 25: Downtown Event and Entertainment District – Private Partner Agreement Framework Update provided a brief update on the status of OVG’s efforts to advance internal OVG reviews of the Agreement Framework. The Administration was to provide an update report to City Council with any proposed Agreement Framework modifications at such time that OVG was available to attend.
April 2025
April 9: Downtown Event and Entertainment District – Private Partner Agreement Framework Update outlined the Administration’s intention to pause on bringing forward the private partner Agreement Framework to City Council for review and approval for up to six months. This pause was intended to allow time to monitor and reassess the economic and political environment in relation to the Agreement Framework.
At this point, City Council is being asked to consider the private partner Agreement Framework and set in motion negotiations for a Master Agreement based on the terms set out in the report.
Representatives from OVG360 will be present at the meeting and will make a presentation.
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For further information on the Downtown Event and Entertainment District please visit saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.