Should it stay or go? Controversy over fate of Wayne Gretzky statue

Oilers fans dressed as angels stand in front of a statue of Oilers great Wayne Gretzky in this 2006 photo. (Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Yet another downtown arena issue is sparking debate from Edmontonians.

Hockey fans are speaking out online over the fate of the iconic Wayne Gretzky monument that currently sits outside Rexall Place.

The statue, showing the hockey legend hoisting a Stanley Cup over his head, has been an iconic fixture outside Rexall for decades.

A clause in the proposed downtown arena master agreement, which was approved by councillors earlier this month, states that the statue will be moved to the location of the new arena.

“If the City is able to obtain the necessary permission from Molson’s Alberta Brewery Ltd., under the agreement dated May 9, 1989, between the City and Molson’s Alberta Brewery Ltd., the City will give EAC permission to move the statue of Wayne Gretzky currently located beside Rexall Place to a location within the Arena Area Facilities on or before the Lease Commencement Date,” the clause reads.

The statue was erected in 1989 and for many – is a symbol of hockey greatness in Edmonton, coming as a tribute after a period when Gretzky helped the Oilers win four Stanley Cups.

Coun. Tony Caterina says he's opposed to the move and wants the clause removed.

"It's very, very obvious history was created there and not in an un-built place in the city. That's where it's recognized and that's where I believe it should be maintained," Catinera said.

"The master agreement is going to come forward in May... hopefully by the time it comes that particular clause will be out of there."

Mayor Stephen Mandel says he doesn't want to see the statue move but wouldn't be too worked up if it does.

"I don't think it should move but circumstance could dictate that it could move," Mandel said.

"I'm not going to be one whose going to push one way or the other."

Former Edmonton Oiler Jason Strudwick said Tuesday his memories of Gretzky and what the player did for the team and for the city, are in his heart and head - not in a statue.

But Strudwick says he does want to see it moved in front of the new arena.

"At the end of the day, I do think it should be moved in front of the new rink. I think that's where he belongs. That's where the team's going to be," Strudwick said.T

The topic was also brought up on sports radio Tuesday.

Jason Gregor of The Jason Gregor Show on Team 1260 started off Tuesday's show with talk of the statue.

He says if a new arena is built, then the monument should go with it.

"Gretzky's part of the Oilers. He's synonymous with the Oilers and if they're going to move all the banners, why wouldn't you move the statue?" Gregor said. "To me it makes no sense not to move it to where the NHL teams play."

Gregor adds, however, that there are more important details related to the downtown arena that should be addressed first.

"How about we solve if they're actually going to have an arena and then we can worry about whether or not there's going to be a statue moving," he said.

Many fans speaking out online believe the statue should move with the team while others believe it should remain where Gretzky played.

Below is a collection of some online reaction to the statue controversy: