ICON Venue Group selected as project manager for Edmonton downtown arena

ICON Venue Group has been selected by Katz Group as the project manager for a proposed downtown arena in Edmonton, Canada.

360 Architecture will carry out the design work for the proposed 18,400-seat arena, which will include an adjacent light rail transit station and an outdoor pedway that provides event space and pedestrian connection with adjacent developments.

Downtown Sports and Entertainment District Project executive director Rick Daviss said the developer is pleased that ICON will be bringing its credentials and expertise to the project.

"We continue to work on the council’s direction of getting to 60% design and getting a guaranteed maximum price, and ICON has a strong history of being able to deliver exceptional design and, should we proceed to construction, of delivering projects on-time and on-budget," Daviss said.

The proposed arena is expected to cost about $450m, out of which Katz Group will provide $100m and the city will contribute another $125m; a further $125m will be generated through a ticket tax. ICON works in partnership with arena management company AEG, which would likely take over the facility once it is built.

A consultation plan on the design of the new arena will be outlined in the spring of this year, when the council is due to decide on the final design.