THUNDER BAY – Wrenching financial decisions were the order of the day Monday – and well into Tuesday morning – at city hall, as councillors debated a controversial indoor sports complex, the 2021 budget, and the further reopening of city facilities.
The body also addressed the future of fire services, receiving a 10-year Strategic Master Fire Plan.
The meeting concluded after 3 a.m. Tuesday, with many key votes decided on a one or two vote margin.
Indoor turf facility squeaks through
Council approved moving forward with a controversial multi-use indoor sports facility, to be located at Chapples Park.
The defection of two councillors who previously voted for the project on Aug. 10 still allowed it to squeak by on a 7-6 vote.
Financial uncertainty from COVID-19 and a lack of hoped-for support from higher levels of government led the city manager and community groups including the chamber of commerce and CEDC to call for a delay to the project.
Its cost is pegged at $33 million, though the CEDC has estimated it could end up costing the city up to $48 million.
Council sets 2021 budget direction
Despite a projected $8.4 million hit from COVID-19 in 2021, councillors opted to target a relatively modest two per cent tax levy increase for next year’s budget – nearly 1.5 per cent below the benchmark suggested by administration.
Council’s plan would require the city to cover the millions in pandemic-related losses through other means, such as dipping into its financial reserves.
Canada Games Complex, other facilities reopen
A bevy of recreational and community programs, as well as child care centres, are set to reopen in September following months of closures due to COVID-19.
That includes the Canada Games Complex, arenas, the Baggage Arts building, and more. The moves come with an as-yet-unknown price tag, with nearly $300,000 to open the complex alone.
Future of fire services remains unclear
The future of fire services in Thunder Bay remains unclear, despite council receiving a 10-year Master Strategic Fire Plan Monday.
The plan’s recommendations include possible reductions to the number of fire stations in the city, as well as staffing level reductions for some operations.
Superior North EMS
A new strategic plan for Superior North EMS is also in the works. The city directed consultant Performance Concepts Consulting to seek input from municipal representatives from the across the region served by the organization Monday.
A draft plan is expected to be put before council “in the coming months.”
Council composition report delayed
A motion from Coun. Kristen Oliver to consider reducing the size of Thunder Bay’s city council was deferred to Sept. 21, as the meeting stretched into the early morning hours.
Oliver proposes public consultation on changing council’s composition, saying the current size of 13 councillors can be ungainly.
