Mayoral candidate Jeff Huska says there are ongoing questions surrounding the Kingsway Event Centre and exactly who will pay for the work and eventual upkeep on the facility slated to have an arena, casino and hotel.
"This Council has an obligation to let Sudburians know who is paying for what when it comes to this project. Especially when public and private entities are intertwined," said Huska in a news release.
“As a taxpayer I’ve got many questions pertaining to this development. For example, is the city covering the cost of the hydro infrastructure for just the arena or is the city grouping the entire project together when they size this development? If so are costs involved being shared?"
Huska also wants to know who will be paying for the internal road infrastructure: building, plowing, lighting, sidewalks and general upkeep. He says he feels residents of Greater Sudbury need to know if they are only covering the costs from the Kingsway to the arena or if they are paying for everything throughout the facility.
“I want to know how can the City dedicate 100 per cent of an employee’s time to a project (Project Director David Shelsted) that hasn’t been given the final go ahead? I also want to know how the City can continue spending money on plans for the downtown arena (to be renamed The Junction) when everything on the Kingsway hasn’t been given the green light by LPAT?” said Huska.
“Where is the openness and transparency touted by Mr. Bigger when he became our mayor? We need to be given a detailed explanation of who is paying for what when it comes to the Kingsway project especially with regards to development fees. The arena is considered a city project and there would be no development charges but everything else with the Kingsway Entertainment District is private.”
Huska says that it doesn’t take long to realize that this $100 million dollar plus development is going to have a huge impact on tax payers' wallets.
He wants the city to prove the financial burden doesn't completely rest on its residents and that everyone involved will be paying their fair share.
