THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay council has approved a lease agreement for the proposed indoor tennis centre at Chapples Park and agreed to designate it as a municipal capital facility.
The decision was made at Monday night’s meeting with little discussion around the council table.
With the tennis facility being designated a municipal capital facility, it will be exempt from city taxes.
The designation was part of a recommendation by city administration during a presentation by Kelly Robertson, manager of community services.
Robertson said this "designation as a municipal capital facility (would) mitigate the project’s financial risks and ensure public access to the facility and . . . long-term sustainability of the facility,” she said.
“Through the lease negotiations and financial review, it became apparent - in the absence of being designated a municipal capital facility - there will be some risk.”
The $4-million bubble includes $1 million in funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, $500,000 from FedNor, a $200,000 grant from Tennis Canada and Rogers, as well as the city’s $1.5-million commitment.
