THUNDER BAY -- City councillors have had their first chance to dig into the latest report on a proposed new event centre, two weeks before they’ll decide if the project moves to the next step.
Council on Monday received the project’s Phase 3 final report and feasibility study as a first report, giving councillors an opportunity to question representatives from the partners who compiled the document.
Those present included Chris O’Reilly from BBB Architects, Wade Harms from PCL Constructors and Alun Lloyd from the BA Group.
As expected, many councillors had questions inquiring about the costs associated with building the new 5,700 seat arena and 66,000 square foot convention centre.
The report sets the guaranteed maximum price of $101.1-million, which is contingent upon the city entering into an agreement prior to the expiration of their letter of intent in 2015.
Once factored in with other capital costs as well as offsetting funding, the net price tag is expected to be $109-million.
“On your word, we’re ready to build this thing,” Harms, a PCL Constructors project manager, said during his presentation.
During the discussion city manager Tim Commisso clarified the resolution council would be looking at during the Sept. 29 meeting, where they will debate and vote on whether to advance the project to Phase 4.
Approving the Phase 3 report is not a commitment to building the event centre but rather allows administration to approach both the provincial and federal governments for the required matching funds, he said.
One subject that was repeatedly mentioned by councillors was how it would be ensured there would be no overruns of the guaranteed maximum price.
City facilities manager Michael Smith said it locks in the design and concepts, though conceded unforeseen economic factors could affect the figure. Under the current proposed timeline construction would begin early next summer with completion in 2017.
Some requested administration in two weeks provide detailed financial information that would show the expected costs that city taxpayers would be facing.
A number of councillors were concerned about whether the event centre would compete with existing venues, such as the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium or conference facilities, meanwhile others asked for estimates of new tax dollars resulting from spinoff effects from the project.
The other most common point of discussion surrounded the availability of parking spaces within the vicinity of the site.
An attached parking garage, which had been a component of the project during earlier phases, was excluded and seems to be casualty of trying to lower the final dollar number.
There will be about 2,440 total public surface parking spaces, a net increase of between 435 and 450, within 800 metres of the building, according to the report.
Joel DePeuter, manager of city realty services, said the city has both purchased land outright as well as entered into agreements contingent upon event centre construction for parking purposes.
The report also suggests providing free public transit to event ticket holders.
Coun. Mark Bentz asked if the consultants believe there are enough spaces to meet the needs of the entire north downtown core entertainment district, rather than just the event centre itself. He was told there would be a “healthy supply.”
The discussions raised the possibility the Lakehead Thunderwolves, a member of the Thunder Bay Live group working on advancing the project and relocating the Winnipeg Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate, could find themselves split between multiple venues.
Gary Green, the leader of the consortium, said only selected, marquee Thunderwolves home games would be played in the new facility.
The report outlines that the university team is expected to use the arena for 12 bookings per year, which it says includes games and other facility rentals.
The apparent change in plans for the Thunderwolves, who have been mentioned by at least Mayor Keith Hobbs and Commisso as a viable anchor tenant if the AHL plans fall through, confused some members of council.
Coun. Ken Boshcoff was the only one to inquire about how to guarantee a long-term relationship with the AHL franchise.
Green did not provide a definitive answer but responded that the geographical proximity has particular appeal to True North Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of the Jets, and the organization believes in maintaining continuity with their farm team location.
A public open house is scheduled to be held on the evening of Sept. 24 at the Italian Cultural Centre.
