Prospective funding tools for a downtown entertainment district in Saskatoon is a way to start the conversation. That from Steph Clovechuk, CEO of Downtown Saskatoon who says whether it be a mandated accommodation tax or a fee upon tickets, what’s most important is the governance of the funds. Clovechuk also says the concept of an accommodation tax is really nothing new. She says it exists right now with volunteer visitor-based assessment in Saskatoon, in Regina and in other communities in the province.  It was a possible funding option outlined in a report that went to the City of Saskatoon’s Governance and Priorities Committee Wednesday morning in regards to a downtown events centre and arena.

At the meeting Councillor David Kirton raised a point about concerns around the money generated going into the City’s general revenue fund and Chief Financial Officer Clae Hack assured Kirton that was not the intention. Hack also says the report presenting options for funding the proposed project is in its very early stages.

The Prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says the options laid out so far to pay for a downtown event centre could either directly impact taxpayers through tax or “come back to bite taxpayers when they don’t work out.”