The first detailed drawings of a new downtown Edmonton arena that would be home to the Oilers were released yesterday, but some city council members "are concerned the huge structure will suck the life off the street," according to Gordon Kent of the EDMONTON JOURNAL. K.C.-based 360 Architecture Principal Scott Ralston said, "The signature element of this arena is a catalyst for revitalizing downtown. We’re trying to convey a sense of connectivity throughout the city … That’s the single most important thing this project can accomplish." Kent notes the proposed arena "will feature a lower bowl with space for 9,000 people, 50 per cent more than the lower bowl at Rexall Place, topped by several tiers of seats, boxes and loges." City Council members "will vote on whether to accept the layout at a meeting July 4" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 5/17). In Edmonton, Tanara McLean notes the images of the proposed arena "depict a massive, glass encased structure with a pod like shape." Ralston said, "Inspiration came in the form of the game of hockey. The speed and the thrill and the movement of that. But you can’t ignore the presence of oil in this region, and the name of the Edmonton Oilers inspired us a lot." McLean notes the presentation was "by-and-large lacking much new information, except for plans to build a $21 million community rink next to the larger NHL surface." Shovels may be "in the ground as soon as January 2013" (EDMONTON SUN, 5/17). Also in Edmonton, David Staples writes, "It’s a game changing moment in the debate. ... It's not easy to get a sense of where the public stands on such a controversial issue as the downtown arena, but I’ve heard hardly a negative word about the new images of the arena design." For the first time, it is "easy for people to envision a cool, curvy, space-age building on the north edge of our downtown" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 5/17).
