THUNDER BAY -- If the city intends to re-purpose or demolish the Neebing Memorial Arena, the ward's few engaged residents want to hear a plan before they endorse it.
Only 14 Neebing residents attended a ward meeting on Thursday to discuss the city's draft Recreation and Facilities Master Plan known as Fit Together. The consultant's report recommends twinning some ice surfaces across the city and re-purposing others, including the Neebing Arena.
By the time Neebing Coun. Linda Rydholm asked for a show of hands to express how many attendees would support the arena staying as is, being torn down or being converted to support an emerging sport, only one person raised his hand for any of the three options.
"This is a proposal," said Neebing resident Ed Gayoski. "They can't do anything until they raise the money and they've got to budget for it so there's going to be a lot of opportunity for me as a taxpayer to voice a more solid opinion when we've got more facts."
Rydholm accepted the group's sentiment, adding she has received few calls or e-mails but she is not yet convinced centralizing and twinning indoor rinks is the best course of action.
"It's a bit of a dilemma isn't it? Why come out when there's no money? There's no real plan yet," she said.
"Until there is money and there is a real plan, it's pretty hard for folks to, other than say sentimentally, 'we built that arena and we've used it.'"
Thunder Bay acting general manager of community services. Gerry Broere is supportive of the master plan. He said public consultations will begin once details become clear.
"Proper planning will get us where we need to be and that will put the horse before the cart."
The Recreation and Facilities Master Plan solicited a similar response among city councilors when it appeared on Monday. It will return to city council in January.
