To the editor:
Event centre parking seems to be the only problem when it comes to the north core site.
Here is my alternative idea that came up in a conversation I had with Katherine Dugmore that was considered and proven possible for the Pool 6 site a couple years ago.
Two quick questions. Why not dig down and put the parking lot under the facility? Why does this idea never reach the table for consideration and costing? In addition to saving valuable property (regardless of location) it could be used to generate more income to help offset some of the operating costs when there aren't events going on just like every other parkade in any other major city does.
I paid $12 to use a parkade in Minneapolis when I was going to a Vikings game. Obviously Thunder Bay couldn't charge that much, but the principle is what matters.
Think how much the city could generate on Canada Day or during Blues Fest. I was just in Vancouver and it is amazing how they fit their event centres right into the middle of everything! It made me say 'Wow, what an amazing city!'
They have their harbour, we have ours. They made the most of it. We're half way there with ours. Our renovated Marina looks amazing so far!!! On the flip side, Ottawa put their arena in a farm field and in my opinion, it looks ridiculous sitting alone in the middle of nowhere. That would be Innova for many years to come, if not forever. I hope council takes all opinions into consideration and doesn't put an arena in the middle of nowhere with the hopes and dreams that one day business will flock there. Realistically, Thunder Bay will not grow exponentially to the point that we will be able to support all of this business/entertainment infrastructure growth that everyone thinks will come if we build at Innova.
The way I see it, business may move there but it would be at the expense of the down town which would one day become vacant (kind of like Westfort). I am really proud of our city for starting to catch up and for starting to design our city more intelligently into districts. It is so ridiculous to spread everything out and waste senseless land. If Innova was a good location for business, it would already be full.
The business citizens of Thunder Bay have already spoken up by setting up shop where they have in the city. Innova Park is unattractive and is going to be nothing more than another Cental Avenue area where Dufresne's and Applebee's set up shop. I'm not too sure what other people do, but I know I don't go test out couches or beds before or after hockey games or concerts. I want to keep my night going!
I worked at the hospital for six years and saw first hand that it has a lot of growth in its future plans. So why not encourage the growth to that land seeing as how they have a major parking shortage already and still have more parking spots to eradicate to make room for new buildings? That is logical. That is practical.
They also don't see dividends paid off with epic marina views. As a 28-year-old resident, I will be the user of this multiplex longer than most people voicing the idea of putting it at Innova.
I also represent a large contingent of young professionals who want to see this facility built downtown so we can enjoy all that the north core has to offer.
I will not drive for dinner, then to an arena and then back to the entertainment district to end my evening if it is built at Innova. I will go to the arena after having dinner at home and drive directly home after the event. However, I promise that I and many others in my age bracket will park in the underground parkade or somewhere on one of the many streets, walk to dinner, walk to the event and then walk to a bar/lounge/restaurant/casino after the event to make a whole evening of it. That is now. That is real. Not some hope and dream of a group that says build it and they will come.
They may in fact come but it will leave a ghost town north core in its wake and the citizens will look back and of course blame council (even though it was their loud voice that pushed for Innova) for causing the downfall of the 'Heart of the Harbour'. Thunder Bay is spread out enough as it is and we need to stop that trend. City council has done a great job in that regard in recent years so let's keep it up.
Brandon Otway,
Thunder Bay
