Each of the big projects Greater Sudbury has planned now has a manager. Roads director David Shelsted will be the project director for the $100 million arena/events centre to be built on The Kingsway, Sudbury.com has learned.
In an internal email sent last week to staff, CAO Ed Archer said Shelsted has “extensive experience in managing significant projects, strong internal and external relationships, and knowledge of municipal and site development processes.
“(He) will be a great asset in leading the arena/event centre project,” Archer wrote. “Dave will transition into this new, temporary role over the next few weeks. A detailed transition plan is being developed; however in the interim, Dave’s role has been split into two director roles.”
Overall lead for the project will remain Catherine Matheson, while Ian Wood is the lead for the Synergy Centre and the Library/Art Gallery projects.
In addition to Shelsted, Eleethea Savage has been seconded as the full-time project manager for the Synergy Centre and Library Art Gallery projects.
“Eleethea's background knowledge of these projects, coupled with her project management expertise, will enable her to efficiently lead us through the work required to bring these to a conclusion,” Archer wrote.
Savage and Shelsted will report to Wood and Matheson on their respective projects “and will be responsible for designing and executing a project schedule, managing staff resources and contractors required for the work, and collaborating with stakeholders.”
Archer also provided an update on the Place des arts, which is further along in the process than the other two projects. With the city committed to its share of funding, Place des arts proponents are working to secure the rest.
“Meanwhile, city staff have worked with Place des arts representatives on a contribution agreement that describes terms for the city's financial contribution and the land it will use for its facility,” Archer wrote. “Once full funding has been confirmed, staff will initiate the land transfer process for council's review and ratification.”