Council approves stadium funding formula
Posted Oct 19, 2011 05:20:52 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Council has voted in favour of a funding formula that sets the total price tag for the proposed stadium at $60 million.
The vote means HRM is committed, in principle, to spending $20 million on the stadium and clears staff to officially begin negotiating with the federal and provincial governments, as well as other partners, to cover the rest.
The proposal inspired a lengthy debate about the dollars and cents – adn also about whether HRM needs a stadium and whether this is the right time to start thinking about funding.
Deputy mayor Jim Smith told his colleagues the dollar figures can always be changed to accomodate the city’s needs, but said a funding plan is a critical part of the stadium planning process.
“Certainly there’s no risk,” he said. “For us, this is a necessary measure that needs to move forward.”
Several other councillors were worried about approving a funding plan without a business case.
“I am not quite convinced yet of the business case, but I am convinced that this is the one opportunity for the next several years in order ot get infrastructure funding,” said Coun. Sue Uteck (Northwest Arm – South End.)
Phil Townsend, director of infrastructure and asset management, assured council a business plan would be presented in december when a second round of public consultations has been completed.
Coun. Peter Lund (Hammonds Plains-St. Margaret’s) said he’s concerned about whether HRM has $20 million, suggesting other municipal programs might suffer.
“”I’m concerned about the expense of other programming needs and other needs,” he said. “Not only recreational but non-recreational, for seniors and everything else.”
But stadium supporters pointed out that HRM is the only major Canadian city that doesn’t have a multi-use outdoor facility and said it’s past time that one was built.
“This is a once in a ten- or 20-year opportunity,” said Coun. Barry Dalrymple (Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank.) “It’s something this municipality desperately needs for so many reasons.”
Council will get a presentation on the second stage of the feasibility study in December, at which point they’ll take a final vote on proceeding with the project.
