How SaskTel Centre almost ended up downtown

As Saskatoon moves ahead with plans for a new downtown arena, we’re looking back 40 years to when the city debated the same question. Laura Woodward has more.

As Saskatoon moves ahead with a new downtown arena, 40 years ago the city debated the same idea.

In 1983, there were two competing locations for a new arena to replace Saskatoon’s aging downtown arena: the A.L. Cole site along the river or undeveloped land near the airport, known as Agriplace.

Parking, cost and location were among the hot-button issues — not so different from today.

The dream of bringing the NHL to Saskatoon

Sports promoter Bill Hunter fuelled the debate. He pushed for a downtown arena as part of his bid to buy and relocate the St. Louis Blues to Saskatoon.

“Wake up! Get with it and start dreaming,” Hunter said.

But those dreams were squashed by the NHL Board of Governors. They rejected the relocation bid, citing concerns a market the size of Saskatoon couldn’t support an NHL franchise.

Decades later, the NHL dream lives on.

“Imagine Saskatoon being home to a professional hockey team,” Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe told Saskatoon city council on June 24.

The City of Saskatoon is currently negotiating with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation on a partnership to develop a downtown entertainment district.

A close vote for Agriplace

On May 13, 1985, city council voted 6-5 to choose Agriplace as the site for the arena.

“Parking was perhaps the number one issue,” former city councillor Marshall Hawthorne said.

Marcel Baltzan, the former owner of the Bessborough Hotel, was disappointed.

“We’ve opted for a box out in the prairies that no one will use,” Baltzan told CTV News outside city hall after the vote.

Two public votes

Shortly after council chose the north-end site, the Downtown Option Association formed.

The group took out full-page newspaper ads opposing council’s decision and collected enough signatures to force a citywide plebiscite.

On Nov. 6, 1985, 64 per cent of voters rejected the downtown option, keeping the north-end location.

About five months later, Saskatoon was divided again — this time over whether the arena should be built at all.

People wore buttons reading “yes” or “no,” declaring whether they supported or opposed the project.

On April 23, 1986, more than two-thirds of voters said yes to building the new arena.

Saskatchewan Place opens

On Feb. 9, 1988, Saskatchewan Place — the building now known as SaskTel Centre — opened its doors.

The $25-million arena was packed. Some fans told CTV News they were impressed by the sound system.

Mayor Cliff Wright was in the crowd.

“To see this magnificent building here, full of people to watch a great hockey game. It’s been a long time coming, but worth the wait,” Wright said.

On opening night, the Saskatoon Blades beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 4-3.