Northlands looks ahead as Coliseum doors close in Edmonton

As the Coliseum closes its doors to the public after an eventful farewell weekend, Northlands is looking ahead to some big changes.

The city will take possession of the arena on Jan. 1, 2018 and it has not revealed the final fate of the building.

Tim Reid, CEO of Northlands, hopes city council recognizes the impact the arena has had on Edmonton and its residents over the past decades.

Staff had been working on future plans for events at the arena before it was announced it would be closed and surrendered to the city. Reid explained that Northlands shared its ideas with the city and now the future is out of its hands.

“We did our very best to give a creative idea of what could happen with these lands that could activate the community and now it’s up to city council,” Reid said.

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“I’m confident that they’ll find a strong path for it and I’m confident that they’re aware of the value of this opportunity. I just think we’re only going to get one shot to do this right and I hope we will.”

READ MORE: Northlands Vision 2020 doing too much with too little: City of Edmonton

Losing the arena means Northlands will be scaling back the amount and types of events held by the organization.

Reid is optimistic about future opportunities for events and programs and added Northlands will always be there for the city of Edmonton.

“Over the next five or 10 years, I think what happens with Northlands is you’ll find an organization that fiscally is very sound, structurally is very sound,” Reid said. “It will be here to service and to work for Edmontonians in whatever capacity the city needs us to.”

One of the big changes will be a return to its roots — a focus on the basics that has made Northlands a strong organization for decades.

While this may mean less large-scale sporting events and big-production concerts and shows, it will be emphasizing fairs and agricultural-based programs and events.

“It will be K-Days, which is a 10-day event that drives in just under a million people. It’ll be Farm Fair International, which is a five-day event.

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“Certainly, we hope to remain involved with the Canadian Finals Rodeo regardless of where that ends up,” explained Reid. “And then, throughout the year, we run our urban farm, we provide 4-H programming and we also run a couple of programs around Amazing Ag.”

Despite his optimistim, Reid conceded the farewell weekend was an emotional affair. People shared memories of hockey games, concerts and other first experiences at the Coliseum.

He said the turnout at the farewell weekend highlights the impact and importance of the space.

“You walk away going, ‘Wow, this is a place that has done a lot for our community.’ So certainly mixed emotions,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You walk away going, 'Wow, this is a place that has done a lot for our community.' So certainly mixed emotions," he said.

“It’s sad on behalf of Northlands to be going through this change. But it’s also incredibly exciting that we look to a future different than facilities management that we’ve led the last 30 years.”

Northlands will move out of the Coliseum before the New Year and unveil new offices shortly after.