To the editor:
This is an open letter to all of those who sit on council.
The mayor has announced yet again he wants to push forward with the event centre saying that the government will fund an amateur sports team.
Yet another attempt to build the legacy project of the century. How many times is this going to happen before you collectively say NO. Mayor Hobbs seems to think he can swing funding.
The Lalkehead Thunderwolves may play 20 games per year there. That only leaves 345 days per year without a guaranteed paying event.
Yes there may be a concert every two or three months, but that is only another six dates per year. We cannot seem to fix roads, or sidewalks, or the transit, etc,etc,etc, yet this White Elephant keeps appearing.
Not long ago the Thunder wolves said they had no interest in playing at the event centre. They cannot sell out Fort William Gardens at 2,750 seats so what makes you think they can sell out 5.000 to 6,000 seats?
I cannot believe this is getting coverage yet again. I suppose since there is a federal election, it seems there are political parties promising the moon and more.
When will enough be enough?
Council has recently decided to proceed with the Waterfront adventure and now the Event Centre is being touted again as well. I see the same consulting company saying we need to spend millions on the waterfront. Isn't this the same group of consultants who want to plan and build the event centre.
Does this mean that there are no other consulting companies that may offer a different idea?
Are both of these projects somehow tied together with the building of the hotel? Will Marriot still build it if there is no event centre?
When will council stand up and say enough is enough. You say you are there on behalf of the taxpayers but how is spending $40 million responsible?
Most business people and bankers will agree that before you invest $40 million, you should have a sound business plan to pay for the debt incurred. I have yet to see anything close.
The consultants promise this will happen and that will happen if we build it. Try going to the bank and asking to borrow a few million to build a widget factory without having a business plan or customers and a market that will buy your widgets.
Where are the guaranteed deals from promoters and other businesses? It was like the owner of the Winnipeg Jets saying if we build him a new rink he would move his team here. The mayor said he had, I believe, an understanding with the owner, sort of. Hey, if you build me a new house for free, I would surely live in it too.
How is having to subsidize the Centre to the tune of $1 million-plus per year responsible? How can you on council sleep at night knowing that you are causing this City to get further into debt without the resources, jobs or increased tax base to help pay for it all? I just read that we have two new Timmy's opening up.
Not exactly high paying jobs or huge tax allocations from the businesses, is it? It seems that we have been asked to spend money to move the Art Gallery (that is privately owned) to the waterfront at a cost to the taxpayer.
Yes, I understand that if you put enough attractions at the Waterfront, it will increase tourism. I get that, but why am I as a taxpayer being asked to spend my tax dollars to move a private business?
Where does it end? Are we going to bankrupt the city for the sake of a legacy project? Is that what this council will be remembered for? Let’s hope not.
Les Austin,
Thunder Bay
