The proposed event centre wasn’t the only topic on the minds of voters at Thursday night’s ward council forum.
But it certainly dominated the discussion, cropping up time and time again as the electorate sought answers and stances of those seeking to represent the city around the council table through 2018.
Six of seven incumbents, the lone exception being Neebing Coun. Linda Rydholm, said they support the $114-million proposal, though with the caveat that both the federal and provincial government must come to the table with the lion’s share of the cost.
All seven were also asked why council voted against a plebiscite that would have put the question before voters.
Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds said he wasn't prepared to commit the city to the project, which is why he voted no.
“If the vote was yes and 51 per cent of the voters turned out, then council would be bound to build it,” Foulds said.
“I didn’t want to put the community at risk.”
McIntyre’s Trevor Giertuga agreed.
“We would be on the hook for $100 million. We would have to build it,” Giertuga said.
McKellar’s Paul Pugh said there are too many questions left unanswered.
“We still have more issues to discuss. Once we have all the information, a decision will be made,” Pugh said.
Meanwhile Northwood’s Mark Bentz said he wouldn’t rule out a plebiscite down the road, once the federal and provincial governments respond to funding requests.
Long-time council watchdog Patti Bates then asked council hopefuls whether or not they thought the event centre should be a priority.
Frank Armiento, seeking to steal Northwood away from Bentz, staunchly said, “No.”
“I’m an opponent of the event centre. I’ve always been opposed to it,” he said.
“The people of Northwood do not want it.”
Beatrice Metzler, running in Westfort, said while she isn’t opposed to the project, basic needs must first be met.
“Like your house, if it needs a new roof, you don’t go out and buy a big-screen TV,” she said, not convinced the city can afford to support the project, which city officials would like to see begin construction on by next summer.
McIntyre candidate Logan Ollivier said he’s for the event centre, but thinks the project should probably be scaled back.
“I’m not sold on the whole convention aspect of the event centre,” he said. “I don’t know we need to be competing with the private sector.”
Geoff Abthorpe, facing off against Rydholm and Austin Haner in Neebing, said as the centre is currently proposed, he’s all for it. But it’s not at the top of his list of things to do.
“No, it’s not a priority for our city,” Abthorpe said. “We need to look at the priorities of securing a roof over our head.”
About 100 members of the public were on hand for the Moose Hall event.
