AEG Entertaining Edmonton

Edmonton, Alberta, has battled one nasty nickname in its time – Deadmonton.

But the city might be in for a new moniker with the recent announcement that AEG has joined forces with the owner of the Edmonton Oilers to advise on the development of a new sports and entertainment district.

It appears the Katz Group that owns the Oilers is placing bets on the interest a new arena district could bring to downtown Edmonton.

“AEG is an ideal partner to help us make a new downtown entertainment and sports district a reality for Edmonton,” Katz Group head Daryl Katz said in a statement. “They have had great success developing and operating world-class sports and entertainment-based urban revitalization projects. Their experience, relationships and end-to-end development capabilities will be a benefit to the project and the broader community.”

AEG is expected to lend a hand with nearly all aspects of the endeavor including planning, feasibility studies, entitlements, design, leasing, construction and facility operations, the companies said.

AEG Worldwide VP Ted Tanner said the company recognizes “Edmonton’s potential” and the fact that a new facility could serve as the cornerstone of a revitalized urban core.