Today Northlands made a presentation to City Council. Chair Andrew Huntley and President Richard Andersen talked about the impact that the organization has in Edmonton, and answered questions related to the proposed downtown arena. Here’s an at-a-glance look at Northlands:
Most of those numbers come from the 2009 Northlands Annual Report (PDF). Northlands breaks its business into four areas: Northlands Major Events, Agriculture, Racing and Gaming, and Sales, Hospitality and Client Services. Racing and Gaming accounts for both the most revenue and the most expense – that area of the business lost over $7 million in 2009.
As David Staples noted, I don’t know how they get to 2500+ events.
Some other numbers, from the presentation this morning:
- $5.8 million is the base cost of operating Rexall Place each year
- $10.9 million is the cost of operating Rexall Place if you include hockey
- $17.1 million is the cost of operating Rexall Place after including all other events
- $1.1 million is the amount the Oilers contribute towards those operating costs
- $2.2 million is the amount the City of Edmonton contributes toward those operating costs each year (adjusted for inflation)
The Oilers pay Northlands $1 to rent Rexall Place – that agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2014. Northlands pays the City of Edmonton $1 to rent the land its facilities are located on – that agreement is set to expire in 2034.
You can learn more about Northlands here, and you can see their answers to City Council’s questions here (PDF).
MasterMaq's Blog 
I’d be willing to bet that the 2,500 events number comes from counting every single horse race as a separate event. From Northlands’ website: “This state-of-the-art facility offers the speed and thrills of more than 1,400 live and simulcast thoroughbred and harness races a year…” (source).
1,400 races, each counted as a separate event, equals more than half of the total 2,500 events they claim to host each year.
Hmm nice catch Adam, that sounds like as good an explanation as any!
And how is it that they get to be 131 years old?
And how is it that they claim to be 131 years old? Is that good business apparently?
They explain the history a little on this page: http://www.northlands.com/historical