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Originally Posted by Crisis
Still waiting for comment from the CoS, but the rumour mill seems pretty consistent that the arena will be going on the "midtown lot" on the north side of 22nd street across from TCU place. Guess we'll just have to wait & see.
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This is the best location in my opinion --- I think the arena would do the most good for the core there. Maybe the old Greyhound depot would even find new life. I'd love to see new housing in the warehouse district, too.
I'm sure there are a million moving parts, including TCU and YMCA-related plans, but I wonder if, behind the scenes, the arena announcement is being timed to match the schedule (i.e. approval) of the STC's anticipated wellness centre relocation:
https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskato...tion-1.5857616
The relocation will leave a city-owned building at 1st and 23rd vacant (ideal as part of the arena lands). However, the STC requested an extension for the current wellness centre, which was always going to be a temporary shelter. They want to build a new, permanent facility on 20th street, by Station 20 West and the hospital, but renovations to the building they want could take 10 to 14 months:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saska...sion-1.6416309
With so much public money tied to any future arena plans, the STC's needs should absolutely come first (as should the needs of other social support groups in the area). It looks like that's what's happening, thankfully, given the support of the city and the province for the current wellness centre:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saska...ince-1.6451157
The centre's old lease would have been up this coming Wednesday, June 15, but it will receive a one-year extension (until April 30, 2023):
https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskato...lter-1.5939146
I think this is very good, and very necessary, news. After all, we wouldn't want our arena to displace an emergency wellness centre and the people for whom it is a temporary home.
(Sorry for all of the links --- I haven't seen this discussed here before, so I wanted to provide a kind of comprehensive update on the wellness centre's situation.)