Cambridge multiplex decision delayed after technical difficulties at council meeting

A meeting about the new recreation multiplex in Cambridge had to be postponed after technical difficulties meant not everyone who had arrived at council chambers to take part in the debate could hear it.

So many people showed up for the Monday night meeting that an overflow room with screens and speakers had to be set up.

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But an audio glitch meant people in that room were unable to hear what was being said in the council chambers.

"They were angry and upset and that was understandable," Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig said Tuesday on The Morning Edition. "We're going to reschedule the meeting and get it back on track so everyone can see, hear and participate."

'We can't hear'

Councillors were preparing to approve a land lease agreement between the city and Conestoga College for lands for the new recreation multiplex. As well, council was set to debate what exactly should go in the multiplex.

Many residents who arrived at the meeting hoping to speak are angry about the location of the multiplex, which they say would better serve residents in south Kitchener than those in Cambridge.

We've got to bring this back to a rational argument and a rational understanding by all people.- Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig

"The tone of the crowd appeared to be mainly anger at the location," Janet Collins said in an email to CBC News Tuesday morning. "My husband and I attended as we feel the location is not central or convenient for the citizens of Cambridge, and we have made our thoughts known to council."

Others have also signed a petition on change.org saying the multiplex is a "positive undertaking" but the city needs to find a more appropriate location.

Collins said the council meeting was stopped after people in the overflow room walked out of the room and stood outside council chambers chanting, "We can't hear."

"It was very poor planning for a contentious meeting," Collins said. "A larger venue should have been planned from the outset."

New meeting in mid-May

Craig said he heard from residents Monday night and he wants to set up a meeting so everyone can have their say.

"People were upset. They want to have more information about different sites. They want to have more information about the process going forward. And I think we owe it to them," he said.

He would not say if the location of the multiplex, which was chosen a year ago, should be reconsidered.

"We've got to bring this back to a rational argument and a rational understanding by all people," he said.

"I'm not going to presume anything at this point considering the concerns that have been raised by the public at the meeting last night."

Craig said he and the city manager will discuss how to best set up a special meeting about the complex so it can accommodate more people.

A new special meeting is expected to be held in mid-May, but it has not been confirmed with all councillors yet.

Craig said he anticipates the multiplex would be open to the public by 2020.