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Waterfront BIA considers impact of stalled event centre plan

THUNDER BAY -- Business owners on the city's North side are put off by the federal government's decision to not fund a proposed event centre.

THUNDER BAY -- Business owners on the city's North side are put off by the federal government's decision to not fund a proposed event centre.

Waterfront District BIA chair Jim Comuzzi said he shared concerns that the city wanted to use federal gas tax money to fund the $114 million project.

But he still thought it was a viable project that would help revitalize the downtown North core. The federal government always knew that the city planned to build a convention centre with a hockey rink.

Comuzzi said he and other area businesses were disappointed with the federal decision. He also wants to see the original event centre plan in place rather than separating the convention centre and arena.

"I don't think they work without each other. I don't think the cost value is there with two separate buildings," he said.

With boarded-up buildings still visible in the area, Comuzzi said there were several projects in place to revitalize the neighbourhood. He wonders how much less will be spent to renovate them with the event centre plan stalled.

"We're not sure of exactly when and if the event centre will ever happen," he said.

But the area has seen growth in the past four years, something Comuzzi said will continue regardless.





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