EDMONTON – As the Edmonton Oilers get set to mark the end of an era at Rexall Place, businesses are preparing to deal with the financial fallout from lost parking revenues.
Sport Central has provided sporting equipment to more than 125,000 children from low-income families since 1991. The largely volunteer-driven organization is able to operate mostly thanks to donations and fundraising efforts. Another significant source of revenue for them: event parking.
“We have people parking here not just for Oiler games, but Oil King games, the Canadian Finals Rodeo, concerts, trade shows, monster trucks – you name it,” said executive director Sheldon Oleksyn.
On average, the lots at Sport Central can accommodate 55 vehicles and on busier evenings they can hold 70. For some businesses in the area, parking revenues can generate tens of thousands of dollars yearly.
In Sport Central’s case, that amount is equivalent to $55,000 or more annually. However, with the NHL franchise leaving Rexall Place for Rogers Place, it is anticipated that revenue will decline.
“We have permanent parkers here that almost purchase a season pass off of us. We don’t know if they’re going to come back or not – probably not and so that’s going to have a big downturn. It’s a significant portion of our revenue that we’re working hard to replace.”
Axe Music general manager Rick Shermack sees game day parking as a “mixed blessing.”
“On event day or game day, a lot of our customers tend to stay away because of the traffic and the parking,” he said.
Shermack’s business has been located at the Wayne Gretzky Drive location for the past 30 years. Though he is sad to see the Edmonton Oilers leave Rexall Place, he is optimistic about the proposed Vision 2020.
The plan includes the renovation of Rexall Place into the Northlands Ice Coliseum. It would transform the existing facility into one that houses seven sheets of ice on two levels.
Those surfaces could also be converted into indoor volleyball courts or lacrosse and soccer fields.
In addition, the racetrack and casino would be made into a massive site with the potential of being used for midways, rodeos and festivals. It would also be used for large-scale concerts with space for upwards of 140,000 people.
For Shermack, the plan holds many possibilities.
“Anything that gets kids involved in sports, music – anything that gets them doing something – it’s positive for us,” he added.
“The rejuvenation of this neighbourhood, rather than just for events or a hockey game – for multi-purpose – will really help.”
The plan is slated to go to City Council in mid-March.
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