These are the BIG changes coming to Edmonton's Exhibition Lands | Daily Hive

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A big redevelopment project in north central Edmonton just got a boost, and we’re taking a closer look at what’s planned for the city’s historic Exhibition Lands.

The 160-hectare site has been a hub for culture and events for over 110 years, hosting KDays, sports, agricultural shows, and other community gatherings. It was also home to the Northlands Coliseum, where the Oilers played during their dynasty years.

With the Coliseum set to be demolished next summer and the Northlands Racetrack and Casino moving elsewhere, plenty of space is about to open up for redevelopment.

What’s coming

The plan is for a mixed-use urban community with rowhomes and low to mid-rise apartments, housing combined with retail, the Expo Centre, and possibly schools or civic spaces, according to the City of Edmonton.

There will also be offices and light industrial areas, as well as LRT access, along with parks, plazas, and greenways across both city-owned and privately owned lands.

The redevelopment also includes two future Transit Villages. The North Transit Village, on the former Coliseum site, will feature higher-density development, while the South Transit Village will focus on street-level housing with smaller shops.

City of Edmonton

The project is part of a larger agreement recently approved between the city, the province, and Oilers Entertainment Group, which also includes development in the ICE District. The $408.2-million initiative aims to enhance housing, public spaces, and economic activity.

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Planned investments include a 2,500-unit housing community, a new Public Event Park, and early work on the Exhibition Lands. All of this work is expected to attract around $1 billion in private investment while adding thousands of homes, offices, shops, and nearly 4,000 underground parking spaces in downtown Edmonton.

No word has been released yet on when construction will begin, but city officials say this is a significant step toward revitalizing North Edmonton. You can find more details about the plan on the City of Edmonton’s website.