THUNDER BAY – Open questions about the future of a proposed indoor turf facility will find some answers – or at least a venue – at an April meeting of city council.
City manager Norm Gale announced at Monday’s council meeting he would convene a special, non-business meeting of council next month to identify potential next steps.
“In an effort to support council’s consideration of options that council may wish to proceed with, I will convene a non-business meeting that will happen in April,” he said.
Councillors will receive information and be able to ask questions, but the meeting format doesn’t allow for debate or decision-making.
Residents can watch the meeting as usual on television and via livestream, Gale said, and it will be promoted to the public once a date is set.
Councillors voted narrowly earlier this month not to move forward with awarding a tender for the $37 million project.
The real cost to the city is estimated at roughly $46 million over 25 years, thanks to around $8.8 million in interest payments on a $16.6 million debenture necessary to fund the project.
Council had voted 9-4 in the summer of 2020 to approve the indoor turf facility in principle, offering a home for activities including soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, cricket, football, lacrosse, and baseball training.
Opponents cited the facility's rising price tag and the uncertain financial impacts of COVID-19 as key reasons to at least hit pause, though many said they remain committed to seeing the project completed eventually.
Mayor Bill Mauro warned before the tender vote that the current council could be running out of time to move forward with the project, which he has championed.
He has since expressed hope that council would move the ball forward.
“There are still opportunities there for sure,” Mauro said earlier this month. “I think most still want to see something. I think the work we’ve done over the last couple of years will ultimately lead to something for the community.”
