The long awaited consultant’s report on where a new arena should go in Sudbury is out, and it favours the downtown area, instead of Dario Zulich’s True North Strong site in the city's east end.
On Monday, city staff briefed the media on the much anticipated report, which includes recommendations for council about where to build a new arena.
The city spent $340,000 on work and analysis that went into forming the report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In April, council identified three top priorities to be considered; cost, economic impact and parking.
"Of the three criteria, most important to council, the Kingsway scored highest, in two of those three, but overall on the eight factors, in totality the downtown scored higher," said Ron Henderson, City Of Greater Sudbury.
On the economic development front, downtown scored top spot.
"The experience of other cities, is that building this type of facility with the current buildings and shops, restaurants and that type of thing, in close proximity, results in immediate economic boost to those businesses," said Ian Wood, Greater Sudbury director of economic development.
"In our case it's not quite as black and white. The Kingsway site has a compelling vision to it."
With the report completed, the decision is now in the hands of council.
"So whether it's talking about the arena, or the library or the art gallery, or the conference centre, from an economic, or social or business perspective, these are choice that have significant and longstanding consequences for the city," said Ed Archer, Greater Sudbury CAO,
"We think council is in a good position to make these choices based on the advice that we giving them."
Zulich told CTV he’s still reading the report and his group has offered no comment, at this point.
City councillor Robert Kirwan said his vote is the Kingsway site proposed by Zulich.
"It has to be the Kingsway, so that we can develop the downtown," he said.
"If we put it on the downtown site it's not going to happen. We won't get it developed anyway, but on the Kingsway we have a regional event district that is going to grow our city and we redevelop the downtown with an art gallery, library and a number of other cultural focus."
Kirwan also doesn't want to risk losing the casino.
"I don't think the casino will invest $60 million Dollars into Sudbury, unless the arena is beside it. They have got other cities to invest in.'
On Facebook, the reaction poured in.
“What a big waste of $400,000 and paying the senior staffers to help this consultant company with a decision. Now the city council will vote on the decision next week," said Derek Durkac.
“Now, let's all wait while the whiners who want an entertainment district to be beside a smelly garbage dump come and trash talk this. Thank you City Council for making the right decision,” said Micheal Artindale.
“Nobody wants to go down town for anything. It's soooo disappointing,” said Kim Liinamaa.
“There's just no room in the downtown core. It's too congested. A plan is needed and the core is not the answer,” said Andy Metallian.
City councillors will now debate and vote on it at their meeting on June 27.
