North Bay City Council narrowly approved a staff recommendation to move the proposed community and recreation centre to be located at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex to tender on Tuesday evening.
Councillors Maggie Horsfield, Lana Mitchell, Justine Mallah, Chris Mayne, Tanya Vrebosch and Mac Bain voted in favour of the controversial development that has spent more than one decade in the making.
"A $52-million community and recreation centre for $26 million is in the best interests of our community," said Mallah.
Construction companies on the project's pre-approved shortlist will soon have the opportunity to bid on the project, a process that could take as little as two months.
The estimated $51.6-million project could have nearly half its projected costs covered by the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
Showing a willingness by the majority to move forward, supporters stress the council has left itself a way out in the event the tenders come in too expensive for its liking.
For more BayToday coverage see: More on council's decision to tender new community centre
