Is the arena going to be torn down or is it going to be repurposed? There have been conflicting stories in the media.
I am against tearing the arena down. The City of Greater Sudbury should not repeat past mistakes. I refer to the old post office, which was torn down and which would have been a highlight for our city and the downtown core.
What is in that place? A parking lot. It reminds me of the Joni Mitchell song: “pave paradise and put up a parking lot.”
The same thing happened with the old Nickel Range Hotel.
Luckily, the old Silverman building has been restored by people with foresight and appreciation for the past. And the Telegraph Office lives on as part of the School of Architecture.
I lived in Toronto for many years, and saw many old buildings that were amalgamated into new buildings. For example, the Windsor Arms Hotel on St. Thomas St., a bank on Yonge St., and Maple Leaf Gardens have a renewed lease on life.
In fact, the Hockey Hall of Fame was a former bank. The exterior façade remains the same, but the interior has been modernized, etc.
I am aware that many buildings in downtown Sudbury are built on floaters because of the underground water. Would this not cause problems if there is a new build?
If the arena is torn down, another part of our history is gone. If the arena can be saved and repurposed, we can maintain a part of our history.
I am in favour of maintaining our history and not repeating past mistakes.
Clare Ann Greco
Sudbury