THUNDER BAY – Many city residents remain divided over whether the proposed event centre should continue to be pursued or indefinitely put on the shelf.
In light of last week’s announcement the $114 million combined event and convention centre project is not eligible for federal gas tax money, mayor Keith Hobbs has said he intends to look at all other options, including a stand-alone arena, to keep the project alive.
Some residents believe this is the time to take a step back.
“Since council was running on the premise the event centre would only go forward if the levels of funding from the federal and provincial government was supposed to come through and that hasn’t happened I do think it makes sense to not place the burden of all the costs on the taxpayers here,” Winston Loh said while at Boulevard Lake on Sunday afternoon.
“Maybe if the federal or provincial government changes their minds and funding does comes through then I support the plan as it is, but contingent on the funding.”
When council on March 26 voted to proceed to Phase 5, it was believed the city would be using $23 million in federal gas tax funding over 10 years after being told the project was not eligible for the Build Canada Fund.
With that not the case, there is no clear source of federal funding. Many people don’t believe the city can take on greater financial responsibility.
“I think it should be shelved for now and start rebuilding the infrastructure in the city,” Cam Laidlaw said.
“You have to start underground and work your way up, so (spend on) sewage, storm water and roads. On top of that there are social needs as well the city needs to address.”
In an unscientific poll conducted online by tbnewswatch on April 2, more than 72 per cent of the 519 respondents answered no to the question of whether city officials should continue the effort to examine all efforts to save the project.
Shawn McMann said he’s not against the idea of an event centre, but doesn't think the city is in a position at this time for a legacy project.
“If Thunder Bay was growing, the population was going up and the tax base was there, I don’t see anything wrong with the event centre,” McMann said.
“Right now from what I understand our sewer system is old, our water system is old and our roads are crumbling apart. Those things should be addressed before play things.”
Despite this latest development that has put the project in doubt, there are still many in the city would support the city trying to find a way to make it work.
“We are building something that can be a world-class place. I think the alternative is to contract, go down and deteriorate,” Don Watson said while at Prince Arthur’s Landing.
“I believe in progress. I’ve seen this city grow and I want to see it continue to grow.”
Watson also credited city administration with the work done during earlier stages of the project to get it to this point.
“The city has done a very thorough examination. I think they’ve done an excellent process. You only have to look at waterfront to see the result of what happens when you do this kind of thing,” he said.
With the Fort William Gardens more than 60 years old, building an arena with a scaled back price tag might be the way to go.
“I think they should look at new ways to fund it. It would bring a lot of (economic benefit) and jobs to the city. Why not try, they’ve already spent so much money to get this far. They might as well keep going,” Thomas Hanlan said.
“I’d be OK with just an arena. I think that’s what we really need downtown. There are other places to hold conventions.”
One of the major federal roadblocks is the use of the Winnipeg Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate as a primary tenant in the proposed 5,700-seat facility. Communication from federal Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel to city officials said the gas tax money can’t be used on a professional sports venue.
“Don’t market it towards professional sports, market as an event centre for the community,” Garth Grunerud said. “I’m sure they could go back to the table with the federal government and try to find some different avenues.”
City council will readdress the event centre issue at its April 13 meeting, where Hobbs has said he plans to bring forward a motion directing administration to prepare a report outlining all available options.
