Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Zulich: I can build a convention centre at KED for a fraction of the cost:
Developer Dario Zulich is back. Now, the man who convinced city council in 2018 to build a new community arena on the Kingsway, says a proposed convention centre for the city can be added to the Kingsway Entertainment District project for a quarter of the current $65M estimate to build it downtown. In a news release Wednesday, Zulich said the convention centre could become a Triple P (or public/private partnership) project. With Triple P projects, developers normally fund construction and other costs, in exchange for guaranteed annual operating money (such as the city's $60 million biosolids plant for a set period of time, before the facility reverts to the city's full control. Zulich said the idea became feasible when city council voted earlier this year to detach the library and art gallery from the convention centre because of the delays from the planning appeals at the LPAT. More on this story here.
No end in sight for Highway 17 east closure:
Travellers going east on Highway 17 are going to have to be patient. It doesn't appear that a quick fix is in store for the heavily traveled roadway. The OPP and Ministry of Transportation closed Highway 17 at Bissett Creek, just east of Mattawa on Monday, April 22, due to washed-out shoulders and embankments. Although contractors are working hard to make repairs and get the highway open, it won't be today and a news release from the MTO makes it clear there is plenty of work to do. Motorists will have to endure a lengthy detour route. Northbound traffic should take Highway 60 to Highway 11 northbound. Southbound detour is Highway 11 to Hwy 60.
Rainbow Board makes $2M available for sports dome:
After almost seven years of delay, it appears Greater Sudbury will soon have a dome-covered sports facility that operates year-round. Meeting on Tuesday, trustees with the Rainbow District School Board agreed to draw $2 million from a reserve fund be for the Lasalle Secondary School Multi-Use Sports Facility. Education director Norm Blaseg said the school will own the $4.1-million facility, which is being built with the Fabio Belli Foundation. The dome will be a scaled-back version of the facility at Lasalle announced in April 2018, when the province announced it would provide $4 million for the project, and Greater Sudbury was asked to provide $2.2 million for road upgrades and $750,000 for a new field house, with the Rainbow board providing $1.1 million to pay for the artificial turf. But when the Liberals were booted from office last June, the Foundation learned that the incoming Progressive Conservative government cancelled the $4 million. Greater Sudbury also withdrew funding. But last month, the Foundation announced the project was back on track. Board member Dr. Dennis Reich said they had finalized plans to build a smaller dome at Lasalle at a total cost of $4.1 million. Full story here.
Crime of the Week: Ice hut abandoned on fast-melting Kelly Lake:
Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers is asking the public to help identify the owner of an ice-fishing hut that was abandoned on a fast-melting local lake. In their “Crime of the Week” report, Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers say an ice hut was left on Kelly Lake near Southview Drive. The wooden structure is mounted on a trailer with a blue tarp roof. A red Chevy Cobalt has been seen to park on Southview Drive when someone was near the hut, said a press release. Conservation officers with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry hope to identify a suspect in relation to what they say is an “environmental concern.” The deadline for removing ice huts from waterways was March 31. Penalties can include a fine of up to $25,000 or one year in prison — or both. Phone the Crime Stoppers tip line toll-free at 705-222-TIPS (8477) or if long distance 1-800-222-TIPS.
Region's film, tv, and music industries get an $850,000 boost:
Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) got a $850,000 boost on Tuesday to advance the development and promotion of the region’s digital and film media, TV and music industries. Specifically, the funding will support CION’s ongoing operations for a three-year period and help to attract private sector investment in film and television projects, creating new revenue opportunities for communities, artists and production professionals living and working in the region. The announcement was made by Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré on behalf of Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor Navdeep Bains.
Top Glove founder at the helm for Team Ontario for national championships:
Not only is Top Glove Boxing Academy founder and head coach Gordon Apolloni in Victoria, BC this week for the 2019 Boxing Canada Super Channel National Championships, but young Sudbury fighter Patrick Martin is among the 58 Ontario Apolloni is responsible for on the West Coast. Still early in his career, Patrick will be competing in the Junior Division, with his first bout scheduled for Thursday. Team Ontario has 28 fighters stepping into the ring on April 24. If you want to catch Patrick Martin, or any other Ontario fighter's bouts, Boxing Canada is livestreaming all the fights on their YouTube channel. Check out boxingcanada.org for the full schedule of fights.
Thursday Weather:
Overcast day in the Thursday forecast with chances of showers. The high will get up to around 12 today with a 40 per cent chance of rain. Cloudy skies into the evening with a 40 per cent chance of showers. Overnight low will drop to 4. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
