Council to debate waterfront budget increase

A significant increase to the budget for Prince Arthur's Landing will be debated by Thunder Bay’s city council Monday night. 

The $8.6-million shortfall was announced last week by the mayor and city manager. If council decides to vote in favour of the city staff recommendation, it will bring the total budget of the project to $58-million, which is an increase of 32 per cent over the original 2007 price tag.

Most councilors who spoke with tbnewswatch.com last week said they would likely support the increase.

The additional money to finish the project as it was originally envisioned will not come from the 2011 tax levy.  Half will come from money the city received from senior levels of government for the project. 

The other half will come from funds that had been set aside for Phase 2, which included a new marina. 

Waterfront project manager Katherine Dugmore will lay out the reasons for the budget increase and options for moving forward, including scaling back the project.  A firm date may also be announced for a deal on the Waterfront hotel partnership.  

Councillors will also hear a vision for an Aboriginal cultural centre – a gathering place to educate, heal, share and experience the Aboriginal culture. 

Meetings have also been scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday nights to continue the deliberations of the 2011 municipal budget.