While final approval for Edmonton’s downtown arena could come in the next few days, anticipation is growing – and another partner in the project is getting involved to help build a major portion of the project.

City Council approved a framework agreement for the downtown arena in  January 23 council meeting – while Mayor Stephen Mandel said at the time the deal was completely done, council still technically needs to give the project final approval.

That approval is expected in the coming days – when city administrators present a final arena master agreement.

“It’s a relief to have it done,” Jim Taylor with the Downtown Business Association said. “It’s been done in my mind for a long time, but it’ll be a relief to have Edmontonians know it’s a signed deal.”

While just about everything has been completed to get the wheels in motion, the budget is still about $100 million short – that sum has always been flagged to come from the provincial government, although the government has maintained provincial money would not go towards the arena.

However, a small contribution from another source has been confirmed.

Macewan University has pledged $2 million to help pay for the $21 million community rink facility attached to the arena, it’s hoped the community rink could act as home ice for their hockey teams.

“We have nothing, we have no facilities whatsoever, and I think it’s a big deficiency,” Macewan University President David Atkinson said.

The contribution will ensure the rink includes a seating capacity of up to 1000 spectators, which would allow them to take part in Canada West Athletic Competitions.

“It’s not just a matter of varsity athletics,” Atkinson said. “It’s about instructional space for our programs and recreational space for our students, we need those things if we’re really going to be a university and that’s what this is about.”

It’s a prospect Taylor is excited about.

“It just goes to show that this isn’t a single purpose hockey rink,” Taylor said. “This is a community structure that’s going to touch everybody.”

At the January 23 council meeting, council asked administrators to come back with a final details report – which has since been completed and passed on to councillors.

Council is expected to review the report April 10.

With files from Susan Amerongen