A discussion about the management and governance structure of Saskatoon’s new Downtown Event Center was done by City Council During Tuesday’s governance and prioritization committee meeting, that could result in a private partner taking the helm.
Special Projects Manager Rob Frank said he has already been approached by three private management companies that have shown interest in running the facilities.
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In one report the city was given four options:
- operate the facility under city management
- Operate facility under direct authority similar to how TCU Place and SaskTel Center are managed
- Operate facility under private management with direct interaction process
- Operate facilities under private management with a competitive procurement process.
The administration recommended the last option, noting that an owner’s representative had been brought in, and recommended single management for both facilities, adding that a provider with experience in the convention industry and venue management would contribute to operational efficiency. Will increase
The report to council noted that city-owned program centers in other cities are beginning to move to private contracted management.
Frank said more details will come next month along with a district plan and guiding principles plan that could be used to guide many parts of the project.
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It was noted in the meeting that there are many moving parts to this project that need to be aligned with each other before further details can be given.
“Without knowing how much potential funding we can get from a private partner, that’s a question mark over the funding plan,” Frank said.
The report added that having a private partner would reduce the overall funding required from other sources.
“Private management contracted by the partner will also include annual financial implications, such as revenue sharing, management fees, guaranteed revenue levels, and incentives for high performance that are expected to be part of contract negotiations with the preferred proposer (to request) offer),” read the report.
“As we gain more information, we may get closer to a decision about whether this project is feasible under the principles that we are gradually laying out here,” Count. Hillary Gough said.
In the end, the committee went with the last option. As the administration now moves to obtain an owner’s representative to help create the purchase documents, the city stressed that additional decisions regarding a governance relationship will need to be finalized as the proposal progresses. The request will continue.
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