Preliminary interior sketches for Edmonton's proposed downtown arena were released Thursday afternoon.
The sketches are based on work done by U.S.-based ICON Venue Group, who has been chosen as the project manager for the project.
ICON has collected ideas from other arenas they believe could also be used in Edmonton, such as fan experience zones and historical tribute areas.
Edmonton City Councillor, Amarjeet Sohi, is impressed by the sketches and believes this arena is about more than just hockey.
"This is about entertainment. This is about linking it to a downtown plan," he says. "Is it just a boxed building or is this a building that really becomes part of the overall downtown?"
With funding for the arena still up in the air, Sohi is hoping this project will cost the city less than the proposed $450 million dollars, though.
"Whatever the gap is, we need to make sure that our partners, such as the province, understand that this arena and entertainment facility is not just about Edmonton."
He says this facility would be serving all of Northern Alberta, as a lot of people come to Edmonton to enjoy events and concerts.
Here's a look at what the proposed downtown arena may look like one day - join the conversation and let us know what you think of the proposed design.
Sky terrace seating - The media ring is brought off the end walls and closer to the action below. Recognizing that it is no accident that this is the preferred viewing location for hockey operations personnel, it also provides an opportunity to create a premium seating option for the most hard core of hockey fans.
Reduced bowl - concert configuration - A specialized curtaining system will be incorporated that will allow the facility to easily transition from a 20,000-seat venue down to a more intimate configuration of 2,000-seats. This rendering illustrates a 6,000-seat concert configuration utilizing one half of the lower bowl.
Overall seating bowl - concert configuration - The new arena will be designed to accommodate even the most demanding concert configurations with a state-of-the-art audiovisual system and excellent acoustics. This rendering depicts the performer’s stage recessed into the stands maximizing sight lines in the bowl and creating a 20,000-seat concert venue.
Main concourse experience - The concourses will be both spacious and open to the seating bowl to allow patrons to feel like they are part of the action, even when they are out of their seats enjoying food and beverages from one of the many, varied concession stands. Wherever possible, the building will be designed to promote natural light and city views.
Loge level experience - It is anticipated that the number of corporate suites will be reduced in favor of loge seating. A separate loge concourse will feature private terrace tables and/or drink rails and premium food and beverage offerings. An ideal location for business and social networking, loge seating is well suited to small to medium sized corporations and avid hockey fans. The loge- or box seating is specifically designed to reflect the fact that Edmonton has more small to medium sized companies rather than large corporate head offices.
Bistro bar experience - Enhanced food and beverage options will be spread throughout the building and service both premium and general admission customers. Bistro Bars are one concept that promotes mix and mingle opportunities from a vantage point overlooking the bowl.
Video: Tom Gazzola with the Edmonton Oilers shows off more details off what the proposed downtown Edmonton arena could look like.
*All pictures and video are courtesy of ICON Venue Group and the Edmonton Oilers website.
ICON Council Presentation Web
© Shaw Media Inc., 2012. All rights reserved.