BY JOHN MACKINNON, EDMONTON JOURNAL
The former national hockey czar charged with bringing Oilers owner Daryl Katz’s vision to reality does not dial down his enthusiasm when talking about the Edmonton Arena District (EAD).
“It will be like you’re going to Disneyland,” said Bob Nicholson, named vice-chairman of the Oilers Entertainment Group in mid-June, two weeks after he concluded a 16-year run as president and CEO of Hockey Canada. “(There are) going to be different components of this district that will (touch) people in so many different ways.”
Rogers Place, the showpiece arena at the centre of the district, won’t open until Sept. 2016, but in an exclusive interview Tuesday, Nicholson said some pieces of the puzzle will be rolled out over the next 12-18 months.