The owners of the Port Arthur Prosvita are $95,000 behind on their taxes and could be facing a city-mandated sale to recover the costs.
The north-side facility has been a controversial choice to house both the Indian Friendship Centre and a new youth centre, with neighbours up in arms about increased traffic in the area.
Owners of the now-closed building have been in tax arrears since 2011, making it eligible for a tax sale if the money owed isn’t forthcoming.
Last September the city paid $57,000 to hold the Prosvita, which expires at the end of March.
The proposed $10-million youth-centre project remains up in the air, with both provincial and federal governments indicating they’re not willing to fund a share of the cost.
The head of the Indian Friendship Centre has asked the city to purchase the property and move ahead with the project.
The city could bid on the property if the taxes aren’t paid, but only if there is a municipal use for the facility.
City officials have refused comment on their plans and council will meet behind closed doors next week to further discuss the project.
– With files from TBTV’s Dennis Ward.
