Residents and city councilors alike seem skeptical of the private partner the city has selected to manage the future Downtown Event and Entertainment District.

Oak View Group’s presentation to council this morning was met with hesitancy from Saskatoon resident Trevor Jacek. He relates this partnership to a poorly organized real-estate deal, noting that OVG’s upfront contribution is only $15 million on a $1.2 billion project.

“Think of it this way. You’re buying a $500,000 rental house. Someone offers you $6000, or just over 1 per cent of the purchase price, and says ‘Hey, in exchange, I’ll manage the property for the next 30 years, decide which tenants you rent to, and take a substantial share of your rental income every year’.”

Similarly, Councilor Jasmine Parker questioned what OVG brings to the table, and why a partner is needed to revitalize Saskatoon’s downtown.

Peter Zingoni, OVG Vice President, says the company would bring “experience, resources, partners and capital to the table.” He adds that OVG can assist with design, construction, financial analysis, meeting planning, and development expertise.

Unsatisfied, councilors unanimously agreed that the Private Partner Agreement Framework be deferred for approval until quarter one of 2026, in an effort to give more time for Council to reflect on information and consult with affected groups.