After months of talks, council has decided Elliot Lake’s new, multi-use recreation complex should be built on its Centennial Arena property.
In a 6-1 vote councillors agreed the city-owned, fully-serviced property would be the primary location for the planned complex that could house a new arena, pool, walking track, gym and curling rink.
The site was chosen despite a last-minute recommendation by the city’s Ad-Hoc Multi Use Facility Committee for council to consider a site on Oakland Boulevard adjacent to the Mr. Dufour Ski Hill.
The site was one of several proposed by consulting firm Collier’s International in a $60,000 report to council in July, Councillor Tammy VanRoon said.
Council has a deadline of Jan. 15 to submit a plan to apply for funding from the provincial and federal governments.
What council wasn’t prepared to move ahead with is costs associated with construction of the facility with pre-engineered components assembled on-site or construction basis where the building is constructed fully on-site.
According to Mayor Dan Marchisella, cost estimates varied from $29 million for pre-engineered to $48 million for on-site construction.
“We need to have a site to put an application in,” the mayor said.
It has been estimated the new complex could cost upward of $60 million.
Councillor Luc Cyr, who voted against the arena site, said he still favoured having the facility built on the former mall property on Ontario Avenue.
Councillor Norman Mann said council should make a decision on the property to speed up the application process.
“If we are going to have this project move forward, we have to make some decisions,” Coun. Mann said.
Councillor Nykyforak said originally Collier’s recommended the mall property, Civic Centre and Centennial Arena property. She questioned why another property was being suggested for council’s consideration after council had already ruled out the mall property and Civic Centre.
She also raised concerns about the lack of costs associated with construction and operation of the facility.
“I have this report from the engineer… four different scenarios,” she said. “I have no staff report and that’s a huge one for me. We’re being asked to make some very serious decisions here that are going to impact the community for a long time, and I’m not willing to do that without a full understanding.”
“There is no staff report, there is no cost analysis,” Councillor Chris Patrie said.
He was also concerned about the lack of costs associated with the construction and operation of the facility and asked for staff to review the costs and come back with a recommendation to council by its next meeting on Dec. 11. The councillor would also like a cost analysis of operating costs for current facilities compared to savings estimates associated with a new complex.
The funding that is available, according to Coun. VanRoon, has now dipped to $70 million from an original figure of $400 million from the province.
The recommendation was approved.