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As part of our 2022 municipal election coverage, Sudbury.com crafted an eight-query questionnaire for mayoral candidates, asking them to share their thoughts, opinions and strategies on everything from taxation to facilities rationalization to their leadership styles. We will be publishing the responses to each question in individual stories over the coming days. Each candidate was contacted by email several times to provide the questions and invite their participation. Not all candidates responded. As well, in the coming days you will be able to find the answers to each question on the election section of Sudbury.com.
The Question:
The consensus is that Greater Sudbury needs a new arena / event centre or a refurbished and upgraded downtown arena. With the KED dead, what is the best solution to the city’s arena situation and how should it be achieved?
Brian Bigger
At the last city council meeting, staff was directed to generate a report for the new council to ensure it has all of the most up-to-date and accurate information. I think the City definitely needs a new or renewed event centre. It’s something we have identified as a need for the last number of years. As an avid concert and hockey goer, as many of the people in Greater Sudbury are, we need to ensure that we have this new offering for our citizens. Council made the decision it did, as costs escalated due to the pandemic and other factors. This would have meant a 3 percent increase on everyone’s taxes if we had borrowed the extra $100 million needed to construct the KED. (And that was based on the lowest cost estimate. I don’t think anyone wants to take on that risk.) As you will recall, I was in favour of the downtown for a location at the beginning of this process. I would like to get council together at the start of the new term, discuss what priorities are, which includes a strategic plan of council. This will help us decide how to proceed with an event centre for our city. The new council will decide what the most appropriate decision is, and I am looking forward to that discussion with them.
Evelyn Dutrisac
When meeting and listening to the residents during the campaign, the citizens are so very concerned with the high cost of living, the high taxes, the terrible roads, the infrastructure deficit, the opioids and homelessness situations, lack of affordable housing etc., When the economy turns, and the city budget is under control so taxpayers are not hit up every year with inflated tax increases, a real plan can occur if council so desires after public input. The talk of the arena needs a break. We need to regroup and remove emotions embedded in the Kingsway Entertainment District (KED). A design comes first based on public need and input. A design was never done for the KED. Maybe at this stage a renovation of the Sudbury Arena with possible extension will suffice. The process has to be open, transparent, and driven by council and the public. I fully support an Ontario Hockey League team in Greater Sudbury. Restoring the citizens’ trust and confidence in our city’s municipal government system is paramount for the success of the newly elected mayor and council. This is what I stand for!
Don Gravelle
The best way to deal with the arena is to have the new council each have a town hall in their ward. Each brings back the best ideas to a council meeting. Council chooses the top five. Then we let the people decide by referendum
Bob Johnston — no answer provided.
Devin Labranche
The best solution for either a new arena or the refurbishment of the current one is to explore all options. I believe that negotiations are due with private investors to find a mutually acceptable solution so that will lead to both revenues and something that the people of Sudbury can be excited about. I would like to see a new arena constructed and hopefully we can put something together, mind you in the event that we cannot come to an agreement I wouldn't be opposed to the refurbishment of the present arena. Whichever the case I would like to see construction or refurbishment commence within the year.
Paul Lefebvre
In the end, the KED would have cost taxpayers $80 million in infrastructure (roads, intersections, parking However we approach the need for a new or renovated arena, we must ensure it goes where infrastructure is already in place to support it, and we need to find synergies and partners to bring the cost to taxpayers down and to bring a better return on our investment.
J. David Popescu — no answer provided.
Miranda Rocca-Circelli
Before a decision can be made on whether to build new or renovate, the present state of the city's finances and costs of operation needs to be determined. That is why I have called for a forensic audit which will answer those questions. Once we know what our financial position is and what if any efficiencies can be achieved, we will have the necessary information to make an informed decision on what we can afford, new or renovated.
Mila Wong
I will review data and information on the condition of the Sudbury Arena and study what North Bay has done with their similar situation. I do not support new projects or builds, many of us do not know the factual financial status of Greater Sudbury, hence we need that independent forensic audit, done by the provincial government.
