Sudbury’s Junction East budget now projected at more than $98M
City council in Sudbury gave the Junction East project its approval at Tuesday night’s meeting the city said in a news release.
The community hub will include the city’s main library, art gallery and multi-cultural-folk arts association under one roof at a cost of $98.5 million.
The price tag has more than doubled since the original proposed cost of $46 million in 2016.
Recommendations for the conceptual design, business plan, operational model, and financial plan for the new cultural campus were approved, allowing for the detailed design and construction phases to proceed.
Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger called it an important milestone.
“We all know that we must continue to invest in ourselves, strategically renewing our aging facilities and rethink how municipal services will be delivered for years to come.”
“This facility will offer artistic and creative experiences to people of all ages in Greater Sudbury,” Bigger said.
Bigger said the decision to proceed with the project was well received by council.
“Yes, there were one or two councillors who consistently vote no to many of our council projects, but this is a very strong majority of council that voted in support of moving forward. It reflects the confidence I believe the public has in this project as well,” he said.
The building design was first presented to council in early May after almost 18 months of research by the city’s project team.
Patricia Meehan, the chair of the Sudbury Theatre Centre, said the STC is excited about the partnerships that will be formed to augment the programming that it can offer patrons, and its young artists participating in education programs.
“This project is a beacon to all those who live here, are considering a move here, or just coming to visit, that arts and culture in this community is alive and well,” Meehan said.
The city said staff will work on the necessary tender documents and drawings to issue a construction tender for the first quarter of next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Decades-long fight': MPs unanimously pass 'anti-scab' legislation
A bill that would ban federal employers from using replacement workers or 'scabs' during lockouts or strikes passed the House of Commons unanimously on Monday.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Why Canada's big grocery stores are under investigation
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Cattle rustling comes to Quebec as police investigate suspected theft of entire herd
Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.