City Council announced Tuesday night that a new twin pad arena will likely break ground in the fall of 2020 at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex.
Johanne Brousseau, Chair of City Council's Community Services Committee, is hopeful that the three levels of government can each fund the estimated $30 million project equally.
“If we’re lucky enough to do like Omischl where it was a third, a third, a third, that would be so nice to have,” Brousseau stated at city council Tuesday night.
See related: New arena project draws architectural and engineering firms interest
At a non-related press conference yesterday, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said it will be up to the municipality to decide if and how they want funds from the province.
“It is up to each municipality, pick your project,” said Fedeli.
“What do you want to see happen in your area? Is it economic development? Is it tourism? is it recreational projects? So there is a limited pool of money so we ask every municipality, just be thoughtful, be careful, be selective, and whatever you decide as a municipality, that is what I will champion for you.”
Al McDonald, North Bay’s Mayor, says it will be a council decision at the end of the day.
“It is wonderful that there is money there for all the different projects so for example, if we can get $2 million for an economic announcement, it just frees up a little bit more money in our budget for the arena,” said McDonald.
“The fact that we are getting money is the most important part.”
