New conceptual images of the Oiler's future downtown arena were released yesterday and they “show a cool, curvy building of metal and glass, lit up like a lantern and perched over a major traffic artery, 104th Avenue,” according to David Staples of the EDMONTON JOURNAL. The images were “created in March by 360 Architecture, the U.S. firm that has been hired to design the arena.” City of Edmonton Manager of Corporate Properties Rick Daviss said that conceptual images “will be shown to city council on May 16, but the design may have changed by then." The images “are 50 per cent of the finished product, not the final concept.” Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel said of the renderings, "It's very cool. That's gorgeous. I want something fantastic, but we also have a budget. The budget has to be abided by” (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 4/26). Also in Edmonton, Tanara McLean notes once councilors view the updated sketches in May, “residents will have about three weeks to give their input through public forums and live displays at city hall” (EDMONTON SUN, 4/26).
