City Manager Jorgenson provided an introduction of the matter followed by Director of Technical Services Willems who provided a PowerPoint highlighting the potential site locations (Site A - Midtown Shopping Center North Parking Lot and Site B - North Downton/City Yards) and a timeline of Council decision/reporting milestones.
Council heard from the following speakers:
- Alisha Esmail, Downtown Event and Entertainment District Advisory Group - in support of Site A
- Michael Mehak, Midtown Plaza - in support of Site A - responded to questions of Council
- Bill Logar, Midtown Plaza - in support of Site A - responded to questions of Council
- Cary Tarasoff - general comments
- Shawna Nelson, Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels Inc. - in support of Site A - responded to questions of Council
- John Howden, Executive Director, SaskTel Centre - in support of Site A - responded to questions of Council
- Kirby Wirchenko, on behalf of Tammy Sweeney, Executive Director, TCU Place and himself - in support of Site A
- Brent Penner, Executive Director, Downtown Saskatoon - in support of Site A - responded to questions of Council
- Karl Miller - in support of Site A - responded to questions of Council
- Randy Pshebylo, Executive Director, Riversdale Business Improvement District - in support of Site A
- Steph Clovechok, Executive Director, Discover Saskatoon - in support of Site A - responded to questions of Council
- Crystal Dahl, Saskatoon Club and Empire Spa - in support of Site A
The following Administration responded to questions of Council:
- Director of Technical Services Willems
- City Manager Jorgenson
- Chief Financial Officer Hack
- Director of Saskatoon Land Long
- City Clerk Tittemore
The meeting was recessed at 3:18 p.m. and reconvened at 3:32 p.m. with all members in attendance, with the exception of Councillor Jeffries.
Discussion on the matter continued.
Councillors Donauer and Hill excused themselves from the meeting at 3:55 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. respectively.