City of Thunder Bay taking feedback on Victoriaville Centre's future

About 100 Thunder Bay residents turned out Wednesday night to hear about an ongoing review of Victoriaville Centre, including whether it should be torn down.

According to city staff, the mall and civic space, built in 1979, will cost the city $8.6 million over the next 10 years to keep open; that includes absorbing its annual deficits and doing needed repairs.

As if to underscore the point, an evening rainstorm during the presentation had mall staff placing buckets around Victoriaville's concourse.

City staff added that Victoriaville has cost Thunder Bay $11.3 million since it opened.

"It's been raised that maybe we should look at whether or not it should be demolished," said Joel DePeuter, the City of Thunder Bay's manager of realty services.

"When it's approaching 40 years old and costs are rising, look at the overall public benefit and future costs and make some decisions about years to come."

Residents who attended could also give their feedback, and city administrators say online comments will be accepted until July 15. DePeuter said that information will be included in a report slated to go to city council in the fall.

He added that city staff won't be asking councillors at that time for a final decision on Victoriaville's future.

Even though Victoriaville has never turned a profit since it was built — according to administration it currently costs the city about $500,000 per year — tearing it down and re-opening Victoria Avenue comes with its own hefty price tag. DePeuter said preliminary estimates show it could cost around $9 million.

Mixed feelings about demolition

Victoriaville was built during a time when suburban shopping malls were taking businesses and people away from core areas. Many cities responded by building malls in downtowns to try and lure them back.

A number of people who attended Wednesday's open house said it's time to tear the mall down.

"Definitely demolish it and open it up," said Maryann Baarts-Matson, who has a business further east along Victoria Avenue.

"Then it will have a free flow of traffic again and the more traffic you have, the more eyes you have on the street [there's] less crime when people are always moving."

DePeuter acknowledged that area business owners have been more vocal recently about demolition.

Other residents at the open house weren't so sure.

"Victoriaville's a civic centre and it should be used as such instead of a mall," said Mark Drombolis, adding that it should be used as a venue to bring in various exhibits, or to hold conventions or small shows.

"For evening events or weekend events, there's a lot of parking here."