The Edmonton Oilers (NHL) have done their homework on a backup plan for a new arena should a downtown plan fall though by holding discussions with the Enoch Cree Nation this past spring.
The discussions didn’t really go very far; both sides acknowledge that the first choice of the Oilers is a downtown site, and any talk between the tribe and the Katz Group was of a preliminary nature.
“We know, without a doubt, the Oilers are Edmonton. Everybody knows that. We’re not trying to disrespect or trying to do anything malicious,” said Ron Morin, the new head of the tribe. “What we’re saying at Enoch is, if Edmonton can’t find a way to get it done, then if there’s a chance for all of us to put our heads together — meaning Edmonton, the Katz Group, Enoch, the province — and see if it could work better at Enoch, why wouldn’t we explore that?”
Indeed: teams have meetings all the time between team officials and folks who have the slightest semblance of an arena plan. It doesn’t mean the Oilers are abandoning their plans for a new downtown arena, nor does it even mean an arena built on the outskirts of town on tribal land is even a Plan B. It means a meeting was held, and it’s folly to read much more into it.
RELATED STORIES: Alberta premier pitched on Edmonton arena funding; Tensions escalate over new Edmonton arena; Protesters object to Edmonton arena funding; Alberta: We’re open to some sort of Edmonton arena funding; Edmonton, Oilers reach agreement on framework of arena funding deal; Edmonton approves arena funding plan; Edmonton mayor lays out arena funding plan; Report: New arena needs 30-year commitment from Oilers; Complicating factor in Edmonton arena discussions: Northlands; Seat mortgages pitched for new Edmonton arena; City: New Edmonton arena would revitalize downtown; Oilers: No, we’re not moving to Quebec City; Oilers refine arena plan after public meetings; Katz ups arena offer to $200M; city willing to talk; Edmonton: New downtown arena financially feasible Katz: I will spend $100 million on new downtown arena; Edmonton: Cheaper to renovate than to build new downtown arena; Oilers arena zoning hearing delayed; Katz group submits arena application to Edmonton
Sign up for the free weekly Arena Digest newsletter and keep up with the latest happenings! You can sign up here.
