Mayor Keith Hobbs said any multiplex discussions must start and end with the voting public.
Hobbs, who said he’s in favour of the city building a multiplex facility at some point, said the estimated $60-million project must get approval from taxpayers before he gives it a thumbs up.
He was reacting on Friday to news the city was getting $250,000 from FedNor to help pay for an economic impact study and business plan for the multi-purpose events centre, at the same time determining the short- and long-term benefits of a facility.
The city will cover the other $250,000 cost for the study, which administration hopes to begin in April. The city has already conducted a first-phase study and held a series of public consultations on the project.
But while high on his list, Hobbs said there are other priorities that must first be dealt with by council, including a $126-million lawsuit from Horizon Wind Inc. that looms large over any future spending plans the city might have. There’s also the ever-escalating waterfront development cost, which earlier this month jumped by another $8.6 million, 31.5 per cent more than the original budget.
“(A multiplex) is something on our radar. It’s a legacy project that I would like to see personally, but the financial end of it has to be taken care of. I asked for a plebiscite on this issue when I was campaigning. I’d like to see that.”
The city has put aside almost $16 million in the Renew Thunder Bay Fund, money earmarked for a number of projects, most notably a new events centre.
The city must learn from the mistakes of the past if the project is togo ahead, Hobbs said.
“We’re going to have to do our homework on this project. Everything is going to have to be looked at. The I’s are going to have to be dotted, the T’s are going to have to be crossed. If we do venture into this project, we’re going to do it right,” Hobbs said.
Coun. Linda Rydholm said council must approach the project with caution and look at all aspects of an events centre, including operating costs which have cost taxpayers millions over the years on other projects, including the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and Canada Games Complex.
Rydholm, who also favours the project if done properly, reiterated no commitments are being made with a study, adding Fort William Gardens will eventually need replacing.
"Remember, we're planning for the future, not next year. So it's important that the planning happen. It's very important the people choose priorities. We know that the city has a signficant infrastructure deficit with water lines, with road work, bridges, etc. And of course a new multiplex would never be just a city venture.
"There would have to be funding from other partners, private or public," she said.
City manager Tim Commisso said while it will be up to council to give the go-ahead to the project, the study will give them a solid basis from which to make the decision.
It will look at everything from location and cost to the economic impact, allowing Thunder Bay to do its due diligence ahead of time, while not committing the city to anything.
It’s also a chance to look at where the rest of the money to pay for the project might come from, Commisso added.
“I think there’s an opportunity to look how this is funded and avenues that we have to explore,” he said, pointing specifically to the federal government’s $8.8 billion Building Canada Fund, designed specifically to pay for large infrastructure projects.
Highways, wastewater, public transit and green energy are listed as the primary focuses on the fund’s website.
Commisso also said he’s not worried about the federal Conservatives backing away from a request from Quebec City officials to help cover the cost of building $400-million arena to attract an NHL team back to the provincial capital.
An events centre in Thunder Bay could have a pro team as part of its inventory, he said, but with upward of 150 events nights being sought, it would only be a small component. Thunder Bay’s Anthony LeBlanc and Keith McCullough have repeatedly said if a new rink is built, they will attempt to bring a minor-pro team to the city.
“This is not something that lends itself to a primarily pro facility,” Commisso said. “What’s the event calendar that would (make) it a sustainable facility?”
When asked about the project on Friday, MP Greg Rickford (Cons., Kenora) said he couldn’t speak about it until he was given talking points from higher ups in the party.
On Thursday Industry Minister Tony Clement, who also includes FedNor in his portfolio, said the feds were spending the money as part of their goal to sustain communities throughout Northern Ontario.
“Supporting the City of Thunder Bay’s second phase study will enable the municipality to position itself for future economic development and growth.”
