After a lengthy debate, city council delayed a decision Wednesday on where to build the city's next big project: the art gallery/library and the convention centre.
A staff report on the project recommended all three projects go on land currently occupied by the Sudbury Arena on Elgin Street. The report recommended demolishing the arena to build the $63 million facility.
The Greater Sudbury Convention and Performance Centre – previously referred to as the Synergy Centre – would have 19,500 square feet of space to rent, including a 950-seat hall for concerts and 13,000 square feet for conventions.
Once complete, the report estimates it would create $2.3 million in new economic activity each year, but would require an annual operating subsidy of $272,000 from the city.
That's fairly typical of such spaces, the report said, with comparable facilities in other cities losing between $100,000 and $1 million a year. It should be run by an independent non-profit board of directors.
Ian Wood, the city's director of economic development, said council directed staff in June to go through a site-selection process, and the criteria was approved in September.
“We see site selection as key” to moving forward, Wood said.
But he said the recommendation to completely tear down the old arena isn't set in stone.
“We got ahead of ourselves a little bit,” Wood said. “We know the arena as it stands now can't be used for these projects. Some demolition will be required. The only question is how much and how it will be done.”
Unlike the $100 million arena/events centre, there is funding available from upper levels of government for the project. The goal is to begin construction in April 2020, when the new Kingsway arena is expected to be complete.
Ward 10 Coun. Fern Cormier said the report left the impression that the full arena would be torn down, and was relieved that the group is looking at how much of the structure would need to come down.
“We're not making a decision to demolish Sudbury Arena tonight,” he said. “In the fullness of time, with the proper evaluation, those decisions will get made.”
Ward 1 Coun. Mark Signoretti was concerned about the impact on the project if the arena/events centre is delayed “for whatever reason.”
“What you're presenting is great,” Signoretti said. “But do we have a Plan B?”
While nothing formal has been announced, it's expected that people opposed to moving the arena from downtown Sudbury will try and block the Kingsway development, perhaps through a lawsuit or an appeal to Ontario Municipal Board.
Wood said if things are delayed until the next term of council – elections are scheduled for June 2018 – the future of the project would be in the hands of whomever wins the vote.
“Each council is sovereign and can make decisions as they see fit,” he said.
Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann wondered about concerns from the owners of the Rainbow Centre mall, who complained this week that their site was rejected based on inaccurate information. The mall has made a pitch to become the new home of the art gallery and library.
“How long would it take you to address some of the concerns,” she asked.
Wood replied that, while some of the parking information in the report was incomplete, they met with Rainbow Centre owners and fully evaluated their proposal. The underlying issue is that it can't house the art gallery, library and convention centre.
“We gave it full consideration, in my opinion,” he said.
Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh said she and other councillors only received the report a few days ago and haven't had time to properly review it.
“I'm not quite ready to make a decision today,” McIntosh said. “I would like to have time to talk to residents. Is there a rush?”
“We're on your timeline,” Wood said. “We're following council's direction to move with speed (but) a small delay is not huge deal.”
Councillors approved McIntosh's motion to defer the decision, and a site is now expected to be determined in January.
