OilersEntertainmentGroup

Michael Janz is one city councillor who questions why the city is considering committing funds for the private venture "Events Park" next to Roger's Place. Plans were announced in March for a complex deal involving the Province, Oilers Entertainment Group and the City. A public hearing at city hall is scheduled for June 26 ,but councillor Janz plans to introduce a motion to make this a referendum question on the ballots in October's election.

The recent announcement of a potential deal involving the Oilers Entertainment Group, the province and the city funding an Ice District Event Park is the latest example of what can go wrong when governments get involved in business. There's little doubt that Event Park will be a boon to businesses around the Ice District, but it will probably hurt businesses that currently focus on the event business. Businesses in other areas of the city that cater to the same crowds that will be drawn to the Ice District Event Park will probably also experience a downturn.

I'm not against of an Ice District Event Park, but question why the province and city think they can use public/taxpayers money to pay for it. Governments at all levels should stay mind in their own lane and let entrepreneurs take care of business.

104th Avenue is a major traffic route that not only cuts through ice district but creates a great wall as it does. To many Edmontonions 104th avenue has become a physical and psychological boundary between downtown and the northside. Both Qualico Propertie, the Oilers Entertainment Group and the Katz Group of Companies have development plans for the land north of the ice district and it may not be until the plans become reality that the great wall is finally torn down.