Lots of good information from John Bean on yesterday's Flames Talk. It's a good listen so go seek the podcast (skip the Smith part) but here's some points.
- Site increased from 7 acres to 10 acres thanks to Stampede land swap negotiations
- All parties wanted a community arena in previous iteration but couldn't fit it in the 7 acres
- Indoor gathering plaza will allow loading the building out of the elements
- Outdoor plaza will act as Red Lot
- "New" road and intersection on the SE of the Stampede grounds connecting to 25th
- Cost overruns on arena/community rink shared 50-50 with City & CSEC
- Starting with $850 million a more realistic number than previous deal
- Design will find opportunities to save on these numbers
- Formal agreements starting Friday
- Development manager to oversee entire construction needs to be hired
- Design team and construction management team hired after development manager
- 32-34 months of construction from break ground to building opening
- 36-40 months +/- from now [woah! nah that's too quick for hiring/design/permits/procuring]
- Some of the work already done should be able to transfer over