THUNDER BAY -- Less money will be allocated for repairs to the Victoriaville parkade in the 2024 operating and capital budget.
Council voted Monday to delay spending of all but $200,000 to the 2025 operating and capital budget.
Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds supported the budget adjustment because there are “moving parts that influence the financial plan.”
“We said to city staff ‘Look we need to get some more information. We need our professional staff to take another look at this,’” Foulds said after the meeting.
“Before spending all of this money renovating the parkade, as Red River Coun. Michael Zussino asked, do we just rip the band-aid off now? What this resolution does is gives our staff some time to do the work, and get the information so that we can make an informed decision.”
In documentation provided to council, the anticipated work for 2024 included localized concrete and waterproofing repairs and replacement as well as ramp repairs and drainage upgrades.
Jonathan Paske, supervisor of the Thunder Bay Parking Authority (TBPA), said the leftover funds will be enough to cover what needs to be completed in the immediate term.
“Of course, we will approach our engineering consultants and ask for their opinions of what we should focus on for this season,” Paske said.
“There are no worries on our end, but we would like to make sure that if something comes up that was unexpected, we do have some capital funds available.”
Staff said the work is required to ensure the structure remains safe for customers to use and to help prevent structural deterioration.
Several councillors, including Northwood’s Dominic Pasqualino, questioned why the city was spending nearly $4 million through 2026 on a facility that might be torn down in a few years.
Paske said council previously decided to keep the parkade because there was a need for it.
"It's hard to say what the revitalization of the downtown south core over here and around Victoriaville will do.”
The 2024 operating and capital budget is scheduled to be ratified on Monday, Feb.12.
