Dub owns the land on which this arena would supposedly be built (along with some other investors). He is just being a businessman, selling the virtues of the location with a dreamy concept. His location is not part of the six being considered for a downtown location.
Talk on the location has been circulating for months and the overwhelming favourite is the Baccarat Casino grounds, built across the street from an underground LRT station that has been roughed in underneath the new EPCOR tower. I think it's pretty much a done deal. Only question now is if the financing hasn't all dried up but I think the Rexall lease at Northlands doesn't expire until 2014 so there's probably enough time.
As for the design itself, I say kudos to Dub for something truly imaginative. I think the idea of a suspended ice surface is very cool but as others have pointed out here in Edmonton, a difficult logistical problem. The theme for the new arena is supposed to consider open streetfront access, no surface parking and inspired architecture. I think it's a decent effort that touches on all three points but it won't be built.
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Denigration avoids reflecting pools
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