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There were many moving pieces in a plan that might have taken the City of Elliot Lake past an awkward pause in provincial funding opportunities for the City's long-sought-after Sports and Recreation Hub planned for 151 Ontario Avenue.
A complicated scenario from staff and a committee emerged at Monday night's virtual meeting of City Council.
The initial input came forward from the Sports Hub Committee.
Part of it would see the City help the Deer Trail Curling Club apply for an NOHFC grant of some $650,000 which the club needs to refurbish its old building on Hillside South. It has to happen to keep the sport of curling in Elliot Lake.
The new Hub plan would have shaved $11M off the price of the hoped-for $42M Sports Hub, in part by eliminating five sheets of curling ice from the design.
Lengthy staff reports also suggested that the Arts Hub to be built on the site of the old Civic Centre on Highway 108 could provide more than 7,000 square feet of convention space in a large theatre in that building.
That would take some of the pressure off the facilities and the activity schedule at the Collins Hall on Hillside North, a city-owned building that now serves many needs.
It would allow for plans to beef up Collins Hall to provide gymnasium space which in turn would allow for the elimination of gym facilities in the Sports Hub, with the savings of another $5.2M.
During the debate, Coun. Ed Pearce broke the ice, "I think it's absolutely essential for the City (the Sports Hub). However, I've also become extremely disillusioned. We have been lied to by three different governments about getting funds for this Hub.
"We're not going to get it. It's as simple as that. In my estimation, there's not a government in Ontario now or in the future, that is going to give us the kind of money we need to build a Hub.
Pearce continued, "So we could spend money on the arena (Centennial Arena) and make it new and wonderful. We could do the same thing with the pool and with Collins Hall. We could also help the Curling Club, all for a lot less money.
"I mean the reality of the situation is whether they're Liberal, Conservative or NDP, the government of Ontario is not going to give us the kind of money that we need to build a Hub.
"We're a small town in northern Ontario that votes the wrong way. Simple as that," concluded Pearce.
Coun. Sandy Finamore opined, "I don't believe we're going to get the money, either. It just means that it's going to take a lot longer than we thought.
"Besides the government problems, COVID hit and a lot of money has been allocated everywhere else. We didn't want to do it this way. But we have to," Finamore concluded.
Mayor Dan Marchisella added, "I agree 100 percent with Coun. Patrie, everything needed to be under one roof and it makes sense to do it that way.
"Unfortunately the government doesn't realize that there's anything north of Parry Sound," concluded the mayor.
Coun. Tom Turner said the City needs to continue to keep seeking Sports Hub funding from Queen"s Park and Ottawa. He said we need to keep asking.
A vote was held to defer a decision on whether to spend about half a million dollars for another consultant's study needed for another pitch to the province if council approved. only this time, for a slimmed-down $29M Sports Hub.
Anticipating developments on the City's Sports Hub, ElliotLakeToday reached out by email over the past several weeks to most of the community stakeholders of the Sports Hub, in search of their input. At time of publishing nothing had been received.
We'd like your feedback on this issue. Are you concerned about the impacts of the changing approach at Elliot Lake City Hall regarding the future of city-owned sports and recreation facilities? Do you have ideas or thoughts on the matter? Share them with us here or in the comment section below.
On another note, Elliot Lake's Director of Finance and Treasurer Amy Sonnenburg served as Acting CAO at Monday night's Council meeting. Her signature and name appeared on several reports on the meeting agenda, as well.
That sparked early curiosity on the whereabouts of CAO Daniel Gagnon.
Prior to the meeting Mr. Gagnon and Mayor Marchisella both confirmed to ElliotLakeToday that Ms. Sonnenburg was sitting in for the CAO while he currently enjoys two week's annual vacation.