A procurement approach for obtaining a private partner to manage one or both of the future Downtown Event and Entertainment District facilities has been approved by Saskatoon City Council.

At today’s meeting, it was decided that the Requests for Proposals for potential partners will be evaluated on the partner’s ability to commit to both the financial success and the community benefit outcomes of the district.

Mayor Charlie Clark says this approach sets the groundwork for a very beneficial future partnership.

“This is a good balance to, as we see this go forward, ensure that, over the long term the project has the maximum benefit to the community and to be able to be financially competitive and sustainable,” Clark states.

Clark reiterated that the approval of this approach does not mandate the partner to provide a living wage.

“What it does do, is ask any proponent to provide what their strategy would be to their strategy to create and sustain good jobs and wages through the project,” Clark affirmed.

Dan Willems, City Director of Technical Services, says more specific terms will be reached with potential partners through a negotiation process before awarding the contract.