After years of speculation, controversies, and hope, followed by two years of construction, Rogers Place is finally open to the public.

On Thursday, Mayor Don Iveson and Oilers owner Daryl Katz cut the ribbon to officially open the arena in front of politicians, former Oilers and season ticket holders. And today, 57,000 Edmontonians visited the state-of-the-art arena to draw their own conclusions.

The results are mixed – just like the debate in the first place – but most people can agree on one thing.

“This is beyond expectations,” Lana Bennett told CTV Edmonton. “The wow-factor was just unbelievable.”

The 819,200 square foot building can host up 18,500 guests for hockey games and around 20,000 for concerts. It has extra-wide 360 degree concourses, the largest scoreboard in the NHL, and 15 elevators and escalators, including a seemingly never-ending escalator for guests heading to the upper bowl.

The arena also features 57 executive suites, 24 theatre boxes and 3,100 club seats, but the public was not allowed to tour those premium areas today.

“That’s one disappointment,” Kelly Vass said. “I wish we could’ve sat in one of those seats.”

The food concessions were open, presenting food items and pricing through television screens. And while the technology is a nice touch, some families were not happy about what they displayed.

“For a family of four, to eat burgers and fries is $80 for four of us, so it is something that we would have to really consider,” Bennett said.

 

Another difference between Rogers Place and the old Rexall rink was noticed by CTV’s Rob Williams and a person CTV Edmonton spoke with while touring the building.

“The way the building is designed, with each level overhanging the next level, it just brings you closer to that ice surface,” Larry Miller said.”

 

Edmontonians will have that long-awaited closer view of the ice on September 26, when the Oilers host the Calgary Flames for their first pre-season game. The first regular season game at the new building takes place on October 12 – once again between the Alberta rivals.

With files from Angela Jung