Rogers Place Special Section

1A special advertising section ❘ street & smith’s sportsbusiness journAl september 19-25, 2016

rogers place

Oilers Entertainment Group

Opens A Spectacular

New, Multi-Use Facility

In Edmonton

september 19-25, 2016 special advertising section ❘ street & smith’s sportsbusiness journAl 1A

rogers place


rogers place

EDMONTON CELEBRATES

Rogers Place is a fitting centrepiece for our vibrant,

Northern city. Sparking a $5 billion revitalization in the heart of our

community, this exciting new facility is a symbol of what progressive

thinking, great partnerships and innovation can achieve.

Edmonton’s future is bold and exciting just like Rogers Place.

Rogersplace.com


rogers placerogers place

EDMONTON CELEBRATES

Rogers Place is a fitting centrepiece for our vibrant,

Northern city. Sparking a $5 billion revitalization in the heart of our

community, this exciting new facility is a symbol of what progressive

thinking, great partnerships and innovation can achieve.

Edmonton’s future is bold and exciting just like Rogers Place.

Rogersplace.com


rogers place

It’s a word that aptly describes both the majesty of Rogers Place and the new arena’s effect as a catalyst for the revitalization of Edmonton.

Rogers Place is a case study in the power of partnership between the private and public sectors. Edmonton’s city council approved the arena deal on May 15, 2013, but the seeds of Rogers Place were sown some five years before, when a group of Edmonton community and business leaders recommended a new arena, if built, should be located downtown to spark revitalization of the core of the city.

That same year, in 2008, Daryl Katz bought the Edmonton Oilers and expressed his desire to build the storied hockey franchise a new home in downtown Edmonton, one that would also transform the city and serve as a stimulus for future development. The partnership between Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) and the City of Edmonton helped make that vision become a reality.

The overall project cost of $613.7 million included the arena, Winter Garden, Downtown Community Arena, light rail transit connection, pedestrian corridor and the land. The city owns both the arena and the property it is situated on and none of the funding sources for Rogers Place or the related developments will increase municipal taxes.

Bob Nicholson, formerly the president of Hockey Canada, was named last year to serve as CEO of Oilers Entertainment Group, having served as OEG vice chair

since June 2014. “Daryl had an amazing vision,” Nicholson said. “He’s

met and exceeded it in a very short amount of time. People don’t realize what they’re going to be walking into. There’s everything you can imagine and it’s done very first class. When Ice District is completed in 2020, it will be four years after the opening of Rogers Place. LA Live is a spectacular spot, but they got where they are today in 14 years.”

Nicholson had a staff of 107 when he assumed his new role. In a year’s time, that number has grown to include more than 1,600 including full- and part-time workers, along with contractors.

“It’s been one heck of a ride,” Nicholson said. “Like in anything, a hockey team or a business, we’ve hired great people.”

Rick Daviss, executive director of the downtown arena project for the City of Edmonton, has been working on this project for six years and has a bit of advice for first-time visitors to Rogers Place.

“As you come up from the main entrance into Ford Hall, that view when you get to the top of the stairs or the top of the escalator looking at the main entrance to Rogers Place will be spectacular. Right from the moment you set foot in that building, you know it’s a special place.”

From the innovative entry points to sweeping roof lines you’ll first notice, everything else that follows makes it clear

there is nothing typical about this state-of-the-art facility. “When you compare it to the more typical arena you’ve

had in Edmonton for many years, that has served us well for many years, this is a new beast,” Daviss said. “This has such a different feel to it. Just walking through the facility. It’s open, there’s natural light; there are wide corridors and high ceilings. I don’t think there’s a square corner in the place. It’s all curvilinear. It’s a very sweeping, open, enticing type of design.”

The contrast between the new arena and Edmonton’s old Rexall Place will be striking for fans.

“When you go to Rexall, unless you’re in a seating area, you can’t see the bowl,” Daviss said. “From Rogers Place, one of the features is that when you do choose to go to the mezzanine or the concourse between periods, or break for a concert, you’ll still have a view of the bowl. You can still see what’s going on. You can hear the crowd. You’re still part of it even though you may not be in your seat.”

Bob Black, OEG chief project development officer, visited more than 40 facilities across North America and Europe prior to construction of Rogers Place. The exhaustive tour of venues was designed to ensure that this new crown jewel in Edmonton would be second to none upon its completion.

“That process started in 2008, and I think one of the real hallmarks of success of this facility is the level of time and effort that was invested into learning everything we could

rogers place story

STUNNINGRogers Place is not only a state-of-the-art arena for the NHL Edmonton Oilers, but also an architectural centerpiece for the city, with the capability to host a wide range of entertainment and sports events and retail spaces.


rogers place

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AN AWE-INSPIRING FACILITY MADE FOR FANS.SPORTS BUSINESS

Introducing Rogers Place, a state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind fan experience.

An awe-inspiring facility made for fans.

© NHL 2016. All Rights Reserved. © Rogers Communications Inc. 2016.

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rogers place

learn from the successes of other facilities and, indeed, the shortcomings of other facilities,” Black said. “Not only were we anxious to learn about the sports facilities themselves, we also took a deep dive into sports and entertainment districts to ensure we did everything within our reasonable capacity to learn every good lesson we could. That was something I think will bear out in terms of the quality of this facility.”

When it came to the arena itself, one of the guiding principles involved connectivity on multiple levels. Simply put, no matter where you are in Rogers Place, you’ll always be connected to the event.

“Technology is a big part of that,” Black said. “We have 1,250 monitors throughout the facility. That will ensure that fans, no matter where they are in the concourses of the building, are within viewing distance of monitors that will keep them connected to the event on the floor. The fact that our naming rights sponsor is also our technology partner is a tremendous opportunity to ensure that we have leading edge technology throughout the building.

“Rogers has been deeply invested throughout the design process to ensure such outcomes as us having the

most enhanced distributed antenna WiFi systems that current technology for arenas allows.”

WiFi is available in all clubs, concourses and the seating bowl, and a Rogers Place app was created to further enhance the fan experience. The biggest technological marvel comes in the form of the largest high-definition center-ice scoreboard in the NHL. Measuring 46 feet wide, 46 feet deep and 36 feet high, the massive scoreboard weighs an incredible 90,000 pounds.

“We have tremendous capacity with our center house scoreboard, which is the largest fully-HD board in the NHL or NBA,” Black said. “I think that leaves us in a position where it is, by definition, the largest in the world. We have great ribbon board capacity and a tremendous number of other digital monitors throughout the arena area facilities, including two other major LCD boards – one on the exterior of Ford Hall, the old Winter Garden, and one on the interior. We’ve just got a tremendous amount of capacity to drive programming and to connect with our fans.”

The design process placed a premium on allowing fans to connect with one another, according to Susan Darrington, vice president and general manager of Rogers

Place. Even with so many spectacular and diverse fan spaces throughout the building, that sense of connection remains omnipresent.

“People’s tastes have changed over the years regarding what they want out of the fan experience. Now, they want to mingle and they want to do business and they want to create relationships and share the experience,” Darrington said. “The Chairman’s Club, for 60 customers, on ice level will be amazing and those folks will be able to see the Oilers as they leave and enter the ice, going on and off for games. On top of that, we’ve got the Stage End Club. In the east end of the building, there’s a Sportsnet lounge, which is a true sports bar experience, and above that, the Sky Lounge will stay open after some of our marquee games to create a post-game experience.”

Through his many site evaluations and feedback from the fan base, Black knew it would be essential to have what he calls “mix and mingle” locations on every level of the building.

“There was a tremendous appetite for spaces, whatever the price point on the ticket, where people could business and social network without losing touch with the event,” he

The bowl features the largest HD scoreboard in the NHL and an open design that allows fans to stay connected to the game wherever they are in the facility.

New dining and entertainment areas feature sleek design, multiple seating or standing options and constant connection to the game on center ice.


rogers place

said. “When we designed the bowl, we were cautious, not only to create an open bowl, but to create those great spaces for mixing and mingling.”

Rogers Place also boasts the largest loge level of any arena in North America and offers various dining options that can include a more intimate choice in theater boxes.

“The Theatre Boxes are a special premium experience,” Darrington said. “There is comfortable, spacious seating for four, like what you’d get at a concert hall or Broadway theater, and a buffet and drink service for fans. It’s a truly spectacular product, along with our loge tables, that over-look the ice. The Theatre Boxes are on the east end, where the club is. Around the ring of the horseshoe, on two levels, are the loge ledge and loge tables, which also seat four.”

Nothing was spared in terms of preparation and execution before Rogers Place opened its doors to the public in September. After an open house free to the public on Sept. 10, the arena welcomed a sold-out crowd at a Keith Urban concert six days later. Rogers Place was then booked for 29 of 31 days in October when its major tenants – the Oilers and Oil Kings – settle in for their inaugural seasons of play there in the NHL and CHL, respectively. As Black was visiting all those facilities in far-flung places such as Los Angeles, Denver, Kansas City and Europe, he believed the deep investment of time and energy would pay off for Edmonton.

“We were anxious to take the lessons that had been learned in those other developments and take the model to a new level,” Black said. “I think that is an important element of what we’ve been focused on, because Daryl

Katz’s guiding aspiration for this project was no less than literally to build the finest arena in the world. I’m extremely proud to say I’m confident we’ve done just that. I recognize that’s a big statement, but it’s one I am confident will bear out when people get into this facility and experience all it has to offer.”

Edmonton’s Renaissance is Realized

Rogers Place now stands as the NHL’s first LEED Silver-certified arena in Canada. The gleaming $480 million facility and new home of the Oilers also serves as the anchor of downtown Edmonton’s rebirth. That was an integral part of the project and part of Katz’s vision from the start. The process of getting there wasn’t always easy, but a spirit of compromise helped make this a truly joint project between the city and OEG.

“Both Daryl and city council saw what a new arena could do or a solid arena might be able to do in our down-town if done right,” Daviss said. “It was seen as much more than an arena, but as a catalyst for revitalizing our down-town. The Oilers know their fan base, they know concerts and they know how to seek ways to optimize the fan experience. We left that to them. We focused more on the public nature of the building and how we could work together and make sure the arena was being incorporated into downtown, rather than just being built downtown.

“Ultimately, that brought us to the same point. Once we had a design, once we had a budget established, we’ve been able to work shoulder to shoulder.”

There is a prevailing sense of pride on the part of Edmontonians, along with a palpable sense of new energy and enthusiasm surrounding what has become one of the city’s most identifiable landmarks. It’s not only the arena. When locals and visitors come to experience all that the new downtown has to offer, they’ll be astounded by what is known as the Ice District. As Canada’s largest mixed-use sports and entertainment district, the district has 25 acres of vibrant activity that will include a public plaza, community rink, casino, luxury hotels, condominiums, cinemas, restaurants and boutiques, along with the largest office towers in the city, including the 66-story Stantec Tower. With Rogers Place serving as the Ice District’s anchor, the future of the city has arrived.

Daviss noted that investment in Edmonton soared after the announcement that Rogers Place was headed down-town. Interest came from across North America and even off the continent.

“We went from having the occasional crane in our downtown every several years,” he said. “to last summer when we had 32 cranes and a renewed level of confidence in our downtown. This is during a supposed economic slow down. With oil prices where they’re at and people being very cautious, Edmonton’s downtown is on a roll. The level of excitement and the level of investment is unprecedented.”

Much of the surrounding development is ongoing, but as the end of the journey arrived for Rogers Place, Black was asked to reflect on the accomplishment and the power of partnership. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10A

The bowl converts easily to a world-class entertainment venue suitable for top musical and theatrical performances.

Ford Hall, which will be open to the public and is one of the first spaces Edmonton fans will see, is a preview of the grand design that awaits inside.

When Daryl Katz purchased the Edmonton Oilers in 2008, he knew if the legendary franchise was going to remain a part of the city for the long term that a new state-of-the-art arena would be required.

“It had to happen,” OEG CEO Bob Nicholson said less than two weeks before Rogers Place opened its doors to the public in September. “The old coliseum, the Rexall building, was a great building, but it had seen better days. More importantly, in the NHL, you need a different busi-ness model today. For a Canadian team, we wanted to be able to compete for Cups and recruit for players.”

Rogers Place is already paying dividends for the franchise. The Oilers made a huge splash this summer in signing high-profile free agent Milan Lucic to a seven-year contract, reportedly worth $42 million. Nicholson said Lucic had several offers, but ultimately decided to come to

Edmonton. His addition could be a harbinger of things to come for the Oilers, who play in the NHL’s smallest market and in front of arguably the most passionate fans in the league.

“Once the players see what we have to offer them in the arena, in condos very close and all the other amenities, the team will get better and it will give us an opportunity to continue to recruit some of the free agents that are so important.”

He added, “Oilers fans are passionate and we are fortunate to have them cheer for the team. They love their team. We haven’t been to the playoffs for 10 years and we’re totally sold out. The sky is the limit here. We’ve got one of the best players on the planet in Connor McDavid.”

In addition to McDavid and Lucic, the Oilers now have long-term sustainability in Edmonton, thanks to Rogers Place, and a real chance to add a sixth Stanley Cup championship to their trophy case in the near future.

Keeping the oilers in edmonton

The opening of Rogers Place means the Oilers, who have called Edmonton home for more than 40 years, will be part of the city far into the future.


rogers place

With the Oilers taking the ice for their inaugural season at Rogers Place, the future has arrived and it’s clear that fans will experience those games in ways they never have before.

“Our sponsorship of the Oilers gave us an opportunity to further develop our relationship with Oilers Entertainment Group from both a sports and business perspective,” said Dale Hooper, Chief Brand Officer, Rogers. “Our partnership entails brand and advertising, signage, in-bowl and in-game applications, in addition to being the presenting sponsor of the Oilers television broadcasts, website and mobile app. Sportsnet is also the regional broadcaster of the Oilers games.”

Rogers is not only the naming rights sponsor of Rogers Place in Edmonton but also the arena’s technology partner.

“There are a number of innovations within the arena that will enhance the fan experience on site, from the mobile app powered by Rogers Wi-Fi and the GamePlus™ experiences to the augmented reality kiosks and the Sportsnet Club,” said Hooper.

Rogers has invested in three different concourse loca-tions for fans to interact with the Oilers in an immersive way. The Rogers NHL GameCentre LIVE™ Virtual Autograph kiosk allows fans to get a customized selfie with Connor McDavid signed and sent to them immediately via SMS or email. Then, the Meet-A-Player augmented reality kiosk allows fans to ask McDavid a series of questions with real-time responses. And finally, fans can enjoy a guided virtual reality tour of Rogers Place hosted by McDavid as he takes

them behind the scenes in preparation for game day. Beyond these interactive experiences, the Sportsnet

Club is a uniquely-branded two-level club located behind the goal line just above the lower bowl. It features two full-service bars, pillars that light up when the Oilers score, amazing views of live hockey on the ice, and coverage of other NHL games on multiple screens inside, ensuring fans are always at the heart of the action in the arena.

Navigating around the concourses in the state-of-the-art facility and all it has to offer will be easy with the Rogers Place app, which assists with ticketing, wayfinding as well as food and beverage options. Exclusive experiences will also be available for Rogers customers as part of the GamePlus™ component of the app. With this feature, fans who log in with their Rogers account can redeem points for behind-the-scenes tours, ice level photo opportunities, skate and warm-up viewings, mascot and alumni meet-and-greets, autographed merchandise, and tickets to upcoming games.

“The fact that the journey of each visitor has been considered from the moment they arrive on-site to the moment they take their seats is a testament to the efforts of all the partners to ensure fans can fully experience all that Rogers Place has to offer,” Hooper said. “We are proud to unveil our suite of fan activities as well as technology and enterprise solutions that will deliver a customized, engag-ing, and innovative experience to visitors at Rogers Place.”

Bob Black, Oilers Entertainment Group chief project development officer, noted that having Rogers not only on the name of the arena but as technology partner will result in Rogers Place having leading-end technology throughout the building

“Rogers has been deeply invested throughout the design process to ensure such outcomes as us having the most enhanced distributed antenna Wi-Fi systems that current technology for arenas allows,” Black said.

Rogers Place delivers robust technology as one of the most connected arenas in North America. Rogers brought together the best-in-class technology partners to deliver an exciting experience in this facility. Among the innovations, state-of-the-art Wi-Fi was designed and built to support a full arena of up to 20,000 guests, and it’s the first Wi-Fi system in Canada to embed antennas seamlessly into railings. Additionally, Rogers invested $5 million in its Distributed Antennae System (DAS) to give every customer in Rogers Place, regardless of carrier, the best cellular coverage possible. Plus, Rogers’s IPTV Digital Signage System is connecting more than 1,200 screens throughout the venue that can be updated in real-time so fans have access to the most current information on site from what’s available at concessions to upcoming events.

While the impact of Rogers will be palpable inside the arena, the company is also committed to investing in the community and supporting the revitalization of Edmonton.

“From a sports standpoint, our sponsorship of the Oilers and commitment to growing the game at a grassroots level through our player sponsorships and Rogers Home-town Hockey will continue to be an area of focus as we connect Canadians to their passion for live sporting events and sports content,” Hooper said. “We believe Rogers Place will be a catalyst for growth in Edmonton, and will draw spectators from around the world to this state-of-the art arena.”

The company’s impact will also extend throughout the province given the naming rights agreement. Over the past decade, Rogers has invested $1 billion in its Alberta network to keep consumers and businesses connected to what matters.

The arena now stands as an anchor for the renewal of Edmonton and catalyst for future growth throughout an entire region. It’s just the latest chapter in the company’s transformational history of delivering the best technology the world has to offer to Canadians.

Rogers Place is a game-changer for venues in this country and will be an example of how technology continues to change and develop so that fans can be connected to the live events and content they want at anytime, anywhere.

rogers activates sponsorship Using interactive technology and premium spaces

Rogers’ interactive installations include a virtual autograph booth where fans can get a digital autograph from their favorite player.

Rogers’ virtual reality kiosk allows fans to get a 3D, close-up version of the action on the ice.


rogers place

CONGRATULATIONS TO OILERS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP ON THE OPENING OF ROGERS PLACE.

Aramark is proud to be your partner. We are excited to deliver a world-class hospitality and dining experience, showcasing the diverse and distinctive tastes and flavors of Edmonton.

Rogers Place is the NHL’s first LEED Silver-certified arena in Canada and reaching that precedent provided a unique set of challenges and rewards.

ICON Venue Group, the leading owner’s representative firm in the sports and entertainment industry, was instrumental in helping Rogers Place become a reality. ICON helped merge the shared vision of Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) and the City of Edmonton and ensured all project objectives were achieved.

“Edmonton adopted a sustainable building policy that requires all city buildings to be LEED Silver certified at a minimum,” said Dan Vaillant, ICON senior vice president. “We knew this arena would have to rise to the challenge of that certifi-cation level and everyone on the project team was on board from the very begin-ning. It took an integrated approach and a commitment from the entire team to ensure that even the smallest decisions were being made with sustainability in mind. Sometimes, the sustainable choice isn’t the most cost effective, so it was chal-lenging to balance budget constraints.”

As project executive, Vaillant helped shepherd OEG and city officials through a challenging master agreement process, one that ensured that both public and private interests were met with the creation of Rogers Place and its surrounding Ice

District developments. “Once the negotiations were complete,

everyone started with a clean slate and made the commitment to move this project forward without bringing along baggage from the past,” Vaillant said. “It was incredible how the public and private parties came together to acknow- ledge one another’s objectives and find ways to make this a true partnership. I think every-one realized, early on, that a focus on the partnership would create a positive result for the stakeholders and the residents of Edmonton.”

The power of that partnership produced, not only a world-class facility in Rogers Place, but also spurred the complete revitalization of downtown Edmonton. ICON has played an integral role in creating a lasting legacy for the city and its residents.

“I think what I’m most proud of is the fact that, ultimately, Rogers Place has, as promised, already had an incredible, transformational effect on downtown Edmonton,” Vaillant said. “People often question whether an arena can truly act as a catalyst for new development and revitalization. In fact, when the agreement was signed, I don’t think anyone realized just how quickly the impact of this project would be felt in the downtown core. Ice District is well underway and is going to be fantastic.”

Aramark’s food and beverage team at Rogers Place will have close to 1,000 associates bringing the food and beverage experience to life for Edmonton’s passionate hockey fans on game night. And the food will feature a distinct local flavor.

“For the past two years, we’ve been collaborating with Oilers Entertainment Group to design a fresh, innovative dining experience at Rogers Place that show-cases the distinctive tastes and flavors of Edmonton and Alberta,” said Alison Birdwell, Aramark Sports & Entertainment regional vice president. “The Rogers Place menu will offer something for everyone – from fan favorites to signature sandwiches, such as the Bobby Nick’s Burger.”

The signature burger, which was created by and named after Oilers Entertainment Group CEO Bob Nicholson, features an Alberta beef patty, topped with cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato and signature sauce.

Concession stands will evoke the history of Edmonton and its surrounding neighborhoods. Fans can enjoy the fare at locations that include River City Market,

Whyte Ave Bistro, Alberta Smoked and 104th Ave Edmonton Eats, and know that local food and produce will be a big part of Aramark’s offerings.

“From the outset, we committed to creating a menu and dining environment that is reflective of Edmonton and Alberta,” Birdwell said. “We’ve not only named dining concepts, concessions stands and menu items after local land-marks and neighborhoods, but we’re also working with local suppliers and farmers to incorporate their products into our recipes.”

Birdwell noted that with modern cook-ing equipment, more kitchen space and the latest culinary amenities, the Rogers Center dining program would be unlike any other that Edmonton Oilers fans have experienced.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Oilers Entertainment Group to create a unique dining experience at Rogers Place,” Birdwell said. “The dining experience is an integral component of the overall game day experience and we intend to take arena dining in Edmonton to the next level.”

icon venue group Helps rogers place Become reality

aramark Brings local Flavor to rogers place

SAMPLE THE MENURiver City Bison Burger - Provolone cheese, smoked bacon, tomato jam, mustard

Roast Alberta Prime Rib Sandwich - Horseradish cream, house blend brined pickles

Smoked Brisket Sandwich - House smoked brisket, cole slaw, mustard BBQ sauce

The Stack - Brisket, pulled pork, slaw, BBQ sauce

Whyte Ave Perogy Dog - Mini potato and cheese perogies, sour cream, bacon, green onion

Aramark is bringing a diverse menu to Rogers Place that incorporates local cuisine such as River City Bison Burgers, Whyte Ave Perogy Dogs and Potato Tottine, pictured here.


rogers place

There is only one LEED Silver-certified NHL arena in all of Canada. Rogers Place, located in the heart of a revitalized downtown Edmonton, is unique in that sense and on so many other levels, due to the innovative architectural work of HOK.

“It’s incredibly rewarding, particularly considering the unique challenges associated with the climate,” said Ryan Gedney, HOK vice president and senior project designer. “We’re committed to designing sustainable buildings and, in this case, we also had the opportunity to influence the development of operational strategies for energy conser-vation, waste, etc., to ensure the arena wasn’t just built sus-tainably, but that it operates sustainably, as well.”

Rogers Place, and the surrounding development in the Ice District, will create a lasting legacy for years to come, but the physical layout introduced immediate complexity during the design process.

“We faced some unique urban design challenges as we looked to connect the arena site and the Ice District site, which were separated by a major thoroughfare,” Ged-ney said. “Our approach – to create a bridge spanning the two sites – resulted in the Winter Garden, the most iconic design element of the arena. I think the specific challenges and opportunities because of the site constraints, develop-ment strategy and climate made this a very interesting and impactful project from start to finish.”

Rick Daviss, executive director of the arena project for

Edmonton, was quick to credit HOK for its work on Rogers Place, which now serves as the city’s most identifiable landmark and a catalyst for future growth.

“Kudos to HOK,” Daviss said. “They have certainly raised the bar in terms of arena design. This is going to be a very special place. It is not just an arena. This is a place to go.”

The same could be said for the city as a whole, with Edmonton’s ongoing transformation taking place around its state-of-the-art, 18,500-seat facility. After meetings with city and province tourism officials, Daviss said downtown Edmonton has already become a destination site.

“The arena district has dominated all of their discussions when they’re going out and looking at bringing in festivals, concerts and tours,” he said. “Rogers Place has become the number one topic of discussion.”

For HOK’s part, it is a point of pride that the company played such an integral role in helping transform Edmon-ton. History will reflect that the city’s renaissance began with Rogers Place.

“Rogers Place is a catalytic project that will help create a more active and vibrant Edmonton,” Gedney said. “I believe the project’s legacy will be rooted in connecting and enhancing a very rich and diverse urban core; build-ing and evolving a wonderfully diverse live, work and play community; and solidifying Edmonton as one of the best cities in the world.”

HoK’s innovation on Full display in design of rogers place

CONGRATULATIONS to the Oilers Entertainment Group and the City of Edmonton on the opening of Rogers Place Chris Lamberth +1 424 298 4611 [email protected] hok.com Image courtesy of Ice District JV

In addition to creating the only LEED Silver-certified NHL arena in Canada, HOK focused on designing a unique game experience for fans and making Rogers Place a destination facility that attracts visitors to downtown.

STUNNING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7A

“I find myself reflecting right now on the contributions of so many that have got us to this point,” he said. “Our partnership with the City of Edmonton has turned out to be phenomenal. We had rocky moments during the negotia-tions of the master agreements for the arena funding, but since we achieved that master agreement, we’ve worked in a cohesive partnership with the City of Edmonton in com-pleting the design and construction of the facility. They have proven to be an absolutely excellent partner.”

Daviss echoed those sentiments when assessing the entire scope of the project.

“They’ve invested $2.7 billion into the area,” Daviss said. “We’re getting an immediate return on that. The Katz group stepped up and put their money where their mouth was. That took the financial fear out of a lot of people’s minds. They were able to focus on, ‘Wow, look what this is doing.’ Look at the investments. We have a JW Marriott next door. We’ve got the tallest building in Canada outside of Toronto (Stantec Tower). It’s just, ‘Wow, this is really having an impact on Edmonton.’ We can show this building off to anyone in the world right now. It’s arguably the finest arena in the world and it’s right here.”

The initial sense of pride and excitement will only serve as a prelude to an improved future for the City of Edmonton.

“I think the legacy that will be left is, we’ve got a new downtown,” Daviss said. “It’s going to have a vibrant enter-tainment area. With the taxes and the revenues being gen-erated from the new development that’s occurring in our downtown, we’re building a new infrastructure. We’re adding new parks, widening sidewalks; we’re doing major sewer upgrades. We’ve got more parks going in the downtown. The legacy is not just Rogers Place. The legacy is all of the public amenities and improved infrastructure that’s going to be here for Edmontonians to enjoy for years to come.”

With Rogers Place serving as the catalyst for $5 billion of construction coming to downtown, the transformation of an entire city is being realized and it will change the way in which the world sees Edmonton.

“In terms of the legacy of this facility, I think this is truly a turning point for the City of Edmonton, the city Daryl Katz grew up in and has a special affinity for,” Black said. “Rogers Place is not only an absolutely incredible facility, but it has already proven to be an anchor that will drive an unprece-dented level of private sector revitalization of our downtown core.”

Black added, “With Ice District, which is rapidly being constructed outside of Rogers Place, we’re truly seeing a transformation that we’ll look back on five or 10 years from now, once we get the subsequent phases undertaken, and it will have been a blur. We’ll look back on it with a tremen-dous level of pride because we’ve been involved in some-thing that is truly historic in our city.”


rogers place

In the case of Rogers Place and PCL, the construction manager for the downtown arena project, the building process took 30 months from start to finish. What began in March 2014 has now concluded and folks will be showing up in droves at the gleaming $480 million state-of-the-art facility in downtown Edmonton.

PCL, a local construction company and the largest contracting organization in Canada, was hired to prepare the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the project. PCL was awarded the job after presenting a GMP that was on budget and accepted by the City of Edmonton and the Katz Group in early 2014.

“It was exciting for PCL Edmonton to be part of a project that was a catalyst for growth and transforming the city’s downtown core,” said Mike Staines, operations manager at PCL Construction Management. “Being awarded a project of this magnitude and scope in Edmonton, the home of PCL’s North American headquarters, is something we’re very proud of.”

Staines noted that 9,500 people went through full orientation during the 30-month project and more than 4,000 completed the visitor orientation. At any given time, as many as 1,250 construction workers were on site and helping to build the world-class facility that seats 18,500.

“PCL has run a tight site and has assisted us consider-ably in delivering this project on time and on budget,” said Bob Black, chief project development officer for Oilers Entertainment Group. “We’ve had a tremendous level of close interaction with PCL to ensure that, while the final throes of the construction process have been ongoing, our personnel have been in there testing the facility.”

For Staines and PCL employees, the challenge of build-ing so many unique spaces throughout the building pro-duced its own blend of rewards. There are a wide variety of premium options and spaces in Rogers Place and the complexity of construction was a hallmark of the process.

“Each area of the building had a different set of specifications and each had a unique element,” Staines said. “One area that was rewarding was construction of the bowl. Constructing the roof above the bowl included criti-cal lifts to move the steel into place. The final box truss lift is a milestone that sticks out in my mind as it signified struc-tural steel completion.”

It was at that critical point when the vision of Rogers Place began to become a reality.

“Once structural steel was complete, it gave you an idea of what the finished building would look like as the nature of the bowl became apparent,” Staines said.

“Throughout the project we saw Edmonton and Oilers pride every day, so it was exciting for everyone involved in the project to start to be able to envision what the finished bowl, which would eventually be home to Oilers games, concerts and many other events, would look like.”

As Edmonton’s most identifiable landmark was being erected, the eyes of an entire city were on PCL as it worked to complete the crown jewel of the new downtown district. That made this project different from others PCL has done in the past.

“This project was significant for the community and, from start to finish, everyone was watching,” Staines said. “We’re used to constructing complex buildings, but this one was really watched and analyzed. Being in the spotlight and feeling the excitement was rewarding in a very different way. The feedback from the local community has also been supportive throughout the project.”

While Rogers Place proved to be a unique undertaking for PCL, the company’s extensive experience in building other high-profile facilities helped it meet the challenge of building the NHL’s first LEED Silver-certified arena in Canada.

“PCL traveled to a number of facilities throughout North

America to better understand all the components involved in constructing them,” Staines said. “We leaned on the experience of other PCL teams that have already con-structed similar types of facilities, such as Staples Center in Los Angeles, Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, MTS Centre in Winnipeg and BMO Field in Toronto.”

As PCL reached the end of its two and a half-year jour-ney of construction on Rogers Place, Staines reflected on the accomplishment and what he was most proud of, considering the legacy it will leave for the city where the company’s headquarters resides.

Said Staines, “The team effort that went into bringing the city and Katz Group’s vision to life; successfully completing a project of this size is not possible without team effort and collaboration. All the partners involved in the project worked closely from inception to completion to construct what is now a gem in our city’s downtown core. Building Rogers Place would not have been possible without the dedication of all the project partners and trades men and women who worked on the project. Each and every single person who worked on the project played an integral role in its success.”

PCL provides a tour of Rogers Place that reveals the many splendors of this 18,500-seat facility. The various levels and distinctive aspects of each speak to the complexity of construction and PCL’s ability to deliver a world-class arena on time and on budget.

Ford HallFor many, this is where they’ll first enter the venue.

Overstretching 104 Avenue, Ford Hall is a public space that is open to all patrons — including those without event tickets — providing an area for fans to come together in celebration of the Oilers, Oil Kings or their favorite artists performing at Rogers Place.

Main concourseAfter entering the gates through Ford Hall, fans will

come to the Main Concourse level. This level plays host to the main food and beverage options, retail and wash-rooms for fans seated in the lower bowl. The open concept allows every fan to continue to feel a part of the event, even when they leave their seats to visit a concession stand or washroom.

Mezzanine loungesBelow the Main Concourse, located on both the North

and South ends of the building, the Mezzanine Lounges provides a variety of local, traditional and upscale food options for those seated in club seats.

scotiabank suites levelAbove the Main Concourse, the Suites Level includes

both the Scotiabank Suites and Theatre Boxes. The Scotiabank Suites seat 12 to 15 people, while the Theatre Boxes provide the same private comfort and premium meal service, but on a smaller scale (seating between four to six people).

pcl loge levelThe PCL Loge seating has quickly become one of the

most anticipated hospitality products at Rogers Place. Two tiers of semi-circular tables allow groups of four to enjoy a more social setting, while still enjoying premium

service and a private concourse. In front of the PCL loge tables, the PCL loge ledge offers additional seating options for fans. The cushioned barstools with backrests and footrests give patrons both a casual and comfort-able feel while enjoying an event. Upper concourse

The Upper Concourse provides a space for those seated in the upper bowl to access for food, beverage, retail and washrooms. This relieves congestion from an alternative common concourse, providing fans with the ease and comfort to wander, explore food options and mix and mingle within this space.

sportsnet clubThe Sportsnet Club is a two-level club sitting directly

above the lower bowl on the East end of the building. It provides a similar social space as a sports bar, but with an enhanced, all-inclusive food and beverage service. This space is the perfect fit for the ultimate sports fans looking to find premium food and beverage options.

sky loungeFor those looking to find a chic, trendy space with all-

inclusive premium food and beverage options, the Sky Lounge — located above the Sportsnet Club — will cater to these tastes. The Sky Lounge can also be transformed into a nightspot following an event.

pcl delivers for rogers place and edmontonBuild it and they will come

On time and on budget, PCL delivered an arena reflecting the modern vision of both Edmonton and its NHL home team.

take the tour

The PCL Loge seating, allowing groups of four to share a game together in their own box, has generated strong interest from fans.


rogers place

PCL Construction congratulates the City of Edmonton and the Oilers Entertainment Group on the successful completion and opening of Rogers Place. It was an honor to have been part of bringing this amazing vision to life. PCL takes pride in working with our clients to understand their goals, overcome any challenges, and earn their trust in delivering state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

Watch us build at PCL.com

SHARING YOUR VISION.

BUILDING SUCCESS.

Rogers Place, Edmonton AlbertaImage: Jeff Nash, Oilers Entertainment Group.

Image: Jeff Nash, Oilers Entertainment Group.

Documents

Rogers Place Special Section