The City of Calgary is defending the fee that will be paid to an American firm selected as the development manager for a new downtown arena.

CAA Icon will be paid nearly $18.9 million for the task.

In an interview with CBC News, the city’s general manager of infrastructure services said the job includes overseeing the design process, obtaining necessary approvals and guiding construction of the $926 million event centre block over a three-year period.

Michael Thompson said Denver-based CAA Icon won the contract after a competitive bid process earlier this year.

“They were the highest rated proponent. They bring great expertise and below our budget. So we’re really excited about working with them,” said Thompson.

He said the company performed similar work on Rogers Place in Edmonton as well as Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

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