Thunder Bay council agrees to make Lakehead University event centre anchor
City councillors in Thunder Bay approved a plan Monday night to partner with Lakehead University to act as an anchor tenant at the proposed event centre.
While council unanimously agreed with the partnership, it did have some concerns about using an open bidding process.
Councillor Paul Pugh said he wanted to ensure the project would create local jobs.
Brian McKinnon agreed, saying he wanted to make sure any additional funding did not come with too many strings.
"What comes to mind for example is St. Joe's Hospital whose hands were somewhat tied because they got totally provincial money, and they had no choice," McKinnon said.
"So, Councillor Pugh's question is very valid."
The city has already invested about $4 million for a number of studies into the Thunder Bay event centre.
"There has been a lot of talk of provincial funding, federal funding. We started this project five years ago," Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs said.
The city also says it will partner with the community auditorium to help bring down operating costs.
During the meeting, Hobbs had concerns about allowing Thunder Bay resident and event centre challenger Ray Smith to make a deputation to council.
"I like to hear all sides of the story, definitely. But, if it's going to be about a plebiscite again, or we can't afford it, which is what he put forward last time, I really don't want to hear it," Hobbs said.
Smith was allowed to speak to council, and he made the point the centre is not affordable and there is not enough public support for the project.
He added that, of the 100 people who may stop to speak with him about the centre, only one is actually in favour of the project.