THUNDER BAY -- Despite a tough upcoming budget season, mayor Keith Hobbs wants the city to stay the course on its proposed event centre.
Hobbs said the recent municipal election was largely about the proposed $114 million event and convention centre. He campaigned on being a strong supporter of the idea and won his re-election ,which Hobbs said shows that people want it built.
As an economic driver, the event centre will only grow the city, which means more tax revenue.
"I don't want to sacrifice the event centre and growth. I just don't want to do that," Hobbs said.
"I don't want to stagnate. I don't want to go backwards."
He sees the city's budget challenge as a separate issue than the event centre. And in March, when the city hears back from the federal government on whether the project is successful in its Building Canada bid, council will decide whether to go ahead with it or not.