The Government of Alberta has signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Edmonton and OEG Sports & Entertainment to help develop an event park and public realm space fully connected to Rogers Place in Edmonton’s ICE District, support site servicing for the Village at ICE District and demolish the old Coliseum at Exhibition Lands, first announced on Feb. 28. The agreement will help unleash further opportunity for the city to promote economic growth, vibrancy, safe and affordable housing, and community development.
Pending a positive outcome from ongoing negotiations and the successful passage of Budget 2025, Alberta’s government will contribute up to $183.4 million to this work, which will further revitalize the region, boost the economy and support the creation of new housing developments.
"Alberta's government is proud to be partnering with the City of Edmonton and OEG Sports and Entertainment on this exciting plan to support world-class facilities and services, revitalize downtown Edmonton, and build new housing. This investment will ensure that Edmonton continues to be one of Canada's and North America's leading entertainment and event districts."
The total cost for all projects is $408.2 million, which will be shared by all three partners. When complete, it is estimated that the event park will add more than $70 million to local gross domestic product. Alberta’s government will provide $158.4 million through grants and $25 million by extending the term of the Edmonton Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy (CRL), for a total commitment of up to $183.4 million.
Of the province’s total contribution, $55 million is being contributed to the $90 million cost demolition of the Coliseum at Exhibition Lands and site improvements and $97 million is being contributed to the $250 million cost of the event park.
Recently, the Edmonton City Council Executive Committee took the first step towards approving a 10-year extension to the Downtown CRL to allow investment into these projects and other catalyst proposals in the city’s core.
These priority projects will provide residents and visitors with year-round access to sports, culture and entertainment activities, as well as improve safety and security in Edmonton’s downtown. The Government of Alberta will not build, own or operate any aspect of these projects.
“Alberta’s municipalities are vital to our province’s identity and success so we’re supporting their growth and prosperity. These priority projects will revitalize downtown Edmonton, attract visitors, spur economic growth and diversification, and build attainable housing.”
“This funding is a promising initial step towards accelerating housing options and expanding economic opportunities in our city. The provincial government and OEGSE have been collaborative partners in this negotiation and though we still have far to go, I am hopeful that this commitment will signal Edmonton’s support for development and investment in our core neighbourhoods.”
In addition, this agreement will support the development of much-needed housing in the capital city. Alberta’s government will contribute $31.4 million toward the cost of public infrastructure site servicing for the Village at ICE District, which will provide about 2,500 new residences north of Rogers Place. The total investment from all partners to create more housing options, including affordable and attainable housing and student accommodations will be $68.2 million.
“We are proud of our work to date with the development of Rogers Place and surrounding facilities and look forward to building on that success through this new agreement with the Government of Alberta and City of Edmonton. Rogers Place is not only the home of the Edmonton Oilers, it is a gathering place for residents, visitors and community groups from across Oil Country to come together in the heart of our city. The arena and surrounding developments have also become catalytic drivers of private investment and revitalization in Edmonton’s downtown core. We still have lots of work to do to attract more residents, visitors and investment downtown, and this agreement is a significant step in the right direction that will add the community programming, activity, vibrancy and housing needed to continue our revitalization efforts.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- The total cost of the Edmonton projects is $408.2 million. Of the up to $183.4 million provided by Alberta’s government:
- $97 million is being contributed to the $250 million cost of the event park.
- $55 million is being contributed to the $90 million cost for the coliseum demolition and site improvements.
- $31.4 million is being contributed to the total $68.2 million cost of site servicing for the Village at ICE District North.
- The Alberta government is providing $158.4 million through grants and $25 million through the Edmonton CRL for a total of up to $183.4 million.
- The Government of Alberta will not build, own or operate any aspect of these projects.
- Alberta’s investment of up to $183.4 million for these City of Edmonton infrastructure improvements is similar to the support that the Government of Alberta committed for Calgary’s event centre project in April 2023.
- While Calgary received more provincial funding for their project, Alberta government funding represented 27 percent of the overall costs. Meanwhile, Edmonton is receiving 40 per cent of its overall costs for the event park and Village at ICE District North site servicing.