SaskTel Centre

Origins and Location Controversy

SaskTel Centre was built to replace the outdated Saskatoon Arena, a concrete facility from the 1930s known as 'The Barn' which was infamous for leaky roofs and poor amenities. The city approved a plan for a new 5,000-seat arena at the Exhibition grounds in 1982. The project's scope changed in 1983 when local sports promoter Bill Hunter attempted to purchase the NHL's St. Louis Blues with the goal of moving the team to Saskatoon, a plan that required an 18,000-seat arena. Two sites were proposed for this larger venue, one near the old downtown arena and one north of the airport in an industrial area. After the NHL rejected Hunter's bid, the city continued planning for a larger arena, leading to a fierce debate on location. City Council approved the north industrial site in a narrow 6-5 vote in 1985, with Mayor Cliff Wright and Alderman Henry Dayday supporting it while Alderman Pat Lorje advocated for a downtown location. A public petition with over 16,000 signatures forced a plebiscite in the 1985 civic election, where 64 percent of voters rejected the downtown option. A second plebiscite in 1986 approved the north site with 70 percent support, allowing construction to proceed on an initial 8,000-seat building called Saskatchewan Place.

Construction, Early Years, and Naming

Construction was completed on the north industrial site, and Saskatchewan Place opened in February 1988. The arena was expanded to 11,000 seats in 1990. The location remained polarizing for decades as hoped-for benefits like new services and a relocation of the exhibition grounds next to the arena did not happen. Bill Hunter's later attempt to secure an NHL expansion team for Saskatoon in the early 1990s also fell short due to inadequate funding. The arena did host the NHL's first neutral-site regular season game on October 13, 1992, between the Calgary Flames and Minnesota North Stars. In 2000, the facility was renamed Credit Union Centre following a corporate sponsorship agreement. In a notable tribute, Saunders Avenue leading to the arena was renamed Bill Hunter Avenue in the early 2000s, which many found ironic as Hunter had lobbied for a downtown location. The city transferred the 'Saunders' name to a new street in the River Landing area, the former site of the old Saskatoon Arena.

Major Expansion for World Juniors

From 2008 to 2009, the then Credit Union Centre underwent a major renovation to host the 2010 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The project added 2,981 seats, increasing the arena's capacity to more than 15,000 spectators. The total cost of the expansion was $6.7 million, funded by a $2 million loan from the City of Saskatoon, a $3 million provincial grant, and an estimated $500,000 contribution from Hockey Canada. During this period, a group called Ice Edge Holdings proposed purchasing the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes and playing five of the team's home games each season at the arena, starting in December 2009. The concept was similar to the NFL's Bills Toronto Series, arguing that Saskatoon could sell out the arena for monthly NHL games even if it could not support a full-time team. This plan was abandoned by May 2011 when Ice Edge Holdings withdrew its bid for the Coyotes.

Recent Era and Naming Rights

In August 2014, the telecommunications company SaskTel acquired the naming rights to the arena, leading to its current name, SaskTel Centre. A significant development occurred in 2016 when the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League relocated to Saskatoon, becoming the Saskatchewan Rush. In 2017, the Rush secured a separate naming rights sponsorship with Saskatoon Co-op, resulting in the arena's playing surface being designated Co-op Field at SaskTel Centre during all Rush home games. The facility continues to host over 100 events annually according to recent information. Current operational details note a concert capacity of over 13,000 and a sport event capacity of 15,100, with contact phone numbers listed for the venue and its management.

Plans for a New Downtown Arena

A 2018 study recommended building a new arena and convention centre in downtown Saskatoon to replace both SaskTel Centre and TCU Place. The study found both venues failed to meet modern standards compared to those in similar markets, citing the arena's inadequate space for large event staging and rigging, along with its poor location and accessibility. In August 2022, a report evaluating five potential sites recommended two finalists, one in the north downtown city yard and one in the north parking lot of Midtown Plaza. On November 16, 2022, Saskatoon City Council selected the Midtown site for the proposed Downtown Entertainment and Event District. In February 2024, a proposed design for the district was unveiled, with the new arena given the working title 'Saskatchewan Place', echoing the original 1988 name of SaskTel Centre.

Major Sporting Events and Championships

The arena's inaugural event was the Saskatoon Blades' first WHL game in February 1988, a 4-3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings where Troy Kennedy scored the first goal in arena history. SaskTel Centre has twice hosted the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup tournament, in 1989 and 2013. In the 1989 final, the Blades lost 4-3 in overtime to the Swift Current Broncos. The arena has hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship twice, in 1991 and as co-host with Regina in 2010. The 2010 tournament set the arena's hockey attendance record of 15,171 for a round-robin game between Canada and the United States on December 31, 2009, matched again for the gold medal game on January 5, 2010. The venue also hosted the 2018 4 Nations Cup women's tournament. For curling, it has hosted the Tim Hortons Brier in 1989, 2000, 2004, and 2012, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in 1991, and the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials. In basketball, it was the site of the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League Championship Weekend in 2019, where the Saskatchewan Rattlers defeated the Hamilton Honey Badgers 94-83 to win the first league title.

Concert and Entertainment Legacy

The arena has a long history as a concert venue, hosting pop singer Tiffany in June 1988 and Metallica in 1992. A notable non-musical event was a 2005 gala command performance for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, hosted by comedian Brent Butt during Saskatchewan's centennial. The Juno Awards were held at the arena in 2007, with a return scheduled for 2020 that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2014, Demi Lovato performed as part of her Demi World Tour. A major attendance milestone was set from June 9 to 12, 2016, when Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed six sold-out shows, averaging 15,776 attendees per show for a total estimated 94,655 people, breaking a record Brooks himself had set at the arena in 1996. That single-concert record was later broken on September 15, 2018, when Metallica's WorldWired Tour stop drew 16,874 attendees, one of only two Canadian stops on that tour. The band dedicated their performance of 'Nothing Else Matters' to the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. The arena also hosted a two-night stop on Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in October 2019. For professional wrestling, a World Wrestling Federation taping on October 12, 1992, saw Calgary's Bret Hart defeat Ric Flair to win his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship. In March 2023, All Elite Wrestling announced it would broadcast its Dynamite show from SaskTel Centre on July 12, 2023.

Tenants and Detailed Attendance Records

The Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League are the original and longest-tenured tenant. The Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League moved from Edmonton in 2016. The Saskatoon Mamba of the Canadian Elite Basketball League also play their home games at the venue. The current overall attendance record for SaskTel Centre is 16,874, set by Metallica on September 15, 2018. The largest crowd for a hockey game is 15,171, set at the 2010 World Juniors. The largest crowd for a Saskatoon Blades game against an out-of-province team is 12,588, set on February 9, 2013, against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The largest crowd for any Blades game is 14,768, first set on March 19, 2023, in a game against the Regina Pats, equalled on March 24, 2023, against the Pats again, and once more on April 10, 2023, for game seven of their first-round playoff series. The largest crowd for a Saskatchewan Rush game is 15,192, set on May 21, 2016, against the Calgary Roughnecks.

The Gordie Howe Statue Memorial

A bronze statue of Hockey Hall of Famer and Saskatoon native Gordie Howe has been located outside the arena's main entrance since 2005. The statue was created by sculptor Michael Martin but remained unfinished in Eston, Saskatchewan, until 1993, when private donations funded its completion. Saskatoon's city council initially rejected placing the statue at the arena, questioning its artistic value and 'enduring quality.' The statue was instead purchased by the owners of Midtown Plaza and installed near the mall. This placement was criticized by a Saskatoon Star-Phoenix columnist and, according to a survey and Howe's own opinion, the arena was considered more appropriate. In 2005, the statue was moved to its current location at SaskTel Centre. Following Howe's death in June 2016, the statue became a memorial site. In September 2016, the cremated remains of both Gordie Howe and his wife Colleen Howe were buried at the base of the statue, creating a permanent tribute.

Questions about SaskTel Centre

What is the seating capacity of SaskTel Centre?

SaskTel Centre has a flexible seating capacity that depends on the event configuration. For concerts, the capacity is approximately 13,000 people. For sporting events like hockey or lacrosse, the setup allows for up to 15,100 spectators. The all-time record attendance for any event is 16,874, achieved during a Metallica concert on September 15, 2018.

Which professional teams play at SaskTel Centre?

Three professional teams call SaskTel Centre home. The Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League have been tenants since the arena opened in 1988. The Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League relocated from Edmonton in 2016. The Saskatoon Mamba of the Canadian Elite Basketball League also use the arena for their home games. During Rush games, the playing surface is specifically called Co-op Field at SaskTel Centre.

Why is SaskTel Centre being considered for replacement?

A 2018 study recommended replacing SaskTel Centre and TCU Place because they fail to meet modern standards. The study found the arena has inadequate space for large event staging and rigging. It also criticized the arena's location and accessibility compared to venues in similar markets. These issues led to plans for a new Downtown Entertainment and Event District with a replacement arena downtown.

How was the arena's location decided?

The arena's location north of the city was decided through a prolonged public process. After City Council narrowly approved the north industrial site in 1985, a public petition forced a plebiscite. In 1985, voters rejected a downtown option with 64 percent against. A second plebiscite in 1986 approved the north location with 70 percent in favour, allowing construction to proceed. The location remained controversial for years as expected development around it did not occur.

What are some of the biggest events ever held at SaskTel Centre?

Major events include the IIHF World Junior Championship in 1991 and 2010, the Memorial Cup in 1989 and 2013, and four Tim Hortons Brier championships. It hosted the Juno Awards in 2007 and was set to host again in 2020. Record-breaking concert tours by Garth Brooks and Metallica were held there, with Metallica setting the overall attendance record. The arena also hosted the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials and the inaugural CEBL championship weekend in 2019.

What is the story behind the Gordie Howe statue?

The Gordie Howe statue outside the arena was created by Michael Martin but stayed in Eston, Saskatchewan, until 1993. Completed with private funds, the city council initially refused to place it at the arena. It was installed near Midtown Plaza until 2005, when it was moved to the arena entrance after public pressure. Following Howe's death in 2016, the site became a memorial, and in September 2016, the cremated remains of Gordie and Colleen Howe were interred at the statue's base.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.