Round Table #8: Save The Coliseum – Continued Momentum with Councillor Karen Principe – May 26, 2025 @ Blenz Coffee
On Monday morning, May 26th, 2025, we hosted our second face-to-face meeting with Councillor Karen Principe at Blenz Coffee. The sit-down allowed us to dive deeper into key topics surrounding community well-being, city governance, and—of course—our ongoing mission to Save and Reuse The Edmonton Coliseum.
While we found considerable common ground, the complexity of issues signaled the need for a follow-up round table soon. Points requiring further discussion include:
Rising property taxes and the impact on families and local businesses
Controversial implementation of bike lanes restricting safe traffic flow
Strategic support for the Coliseum reuse and rehabilitation project
Councillor Principe’s upcoming re-election and potential realignment from “BETTER Edmonton”
Insights from Round Table #7 with Councillor Tim Cartmell
A proposed meeting with MP Kerry Diotte to explore federal support
Financial Highlights
A significant financial highlight discussed was the reduction of property tax from 8.9% to 5.2%. We also explored Councillor Michael Janz’s assertion that it could have gone even lower if the Province had fully assumed responsibility for collecting its Educational Tax Levy. Further clarification from Councillor Principe on this matter will be welcomed.
Vision for Reusing the Edmonton Coliseum
We outlined a community-first reuse and rehabilitation plan for the Coliseum, designed to maximize its potential without the need for demolition:
Multi-Use Redevelopment Concepts:
Education Hub
Converting 60 sky boxes per level into classrooms for K–12 use, accommodating up to 1,500 students per floor.
Classrooms can also support summer school and adult education initiatives.
When not in use, sky boxes can be leased for events, with 20% of revenue directed to fund educational operations in the Coliseum.
Community Medical Centre & Shelter
One level would be dedicated to semi-private care facilities, housing up to 240 patients.
Design elements follow models from Misericordia and Sherwood Park Community Hospital.
Supported by government partnerships and community fundraising initiatives, including split-the-pot lotteries.
Business & Hospitality Opportunities
Leasing space on the top floor to four restaurant/pub tenants at half market rates, with 20% of lease revenue returned to the City.
Retail spaces and travel/tourism services on the main concourse.
Five resort-style hotels with adjoining rapid housing, supported by civic, provincial, and federal organizations. These tenants would be exempt from lease payments to prioritize essential community services.
This approach reuses the existing Coliseum structure to serve multiple community needs while generating revenue to support its ongoing operation.
Political and Strategic Updates
We advised Councillor Principe to remain strategically independent as internal fractures emerge within the BETTER Edmonton movement, notably after our Round Table session with Councillor Cartmell.
On political alignment, discussions included:
Tony Caterina, historically supportive of preserving the Coliseum
Andrew Knack, who has shown interest in our vision
Mohammed and other potential mayoral and council candidates
Ashley Salvador, who has yet to clarify her position on the project
We reiterated Mayor Amarjeet Sohi’s stance against Coliseum demolition due to excessive costs, a position validated by history. Of the eight councillors, five voted to keep and reuse the Coliseum: Mayor Sohi, Karen Principe, Jennifer Rice, and Keren Tang. These community-minded leaders continue to be key allies.
National Model Potential
The Coliseum project is rapidly evolving into a national example of sustainable redevelopment — demonstrating how a historic building can be rehabilitated and reused to meet educational, medical, and economic needs without the costs of new construction.
We are also coordinating a dedicated meeting with MP Kerry Diotte, who has a history of supporting grassroots, community-focused initiatives.
Traffic and Community Concerns
We expressed concerns over bike lane policies and advocated for a return to common-sense traffic design, prioritizing:
Safety for all users
Mandatory helmet laws
Educational programs for young cyclists
Rules-of-the-road training
Moving Forward
As always, we continue building coalitions with elected officials, civic leaders, and private stakeholders. Round Table #9 is on the horizon—more updates soon.
Stay tuned. Stay engaged. Save and Reuse the Coliseum.