New civic centre 'not going to happen' if Charlottetown sole funder, says mayor
Sara Fraser | CBC News | Posted: May 10, 2016 10:48 PM | Last Updated: May 10, 2016
'The City of Charlottetown doesn't even need to own this facility when the day comes, if it's ever built'
Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee is making no bones about it — the city isn't interested in building, running or owning a new civic centre.
City council appointed a new task force to look into the feasibility of establishing a new multi-use sport and entertainment facility in Charlottetown. The appointees to the task force and a beefed-up budget were revealed at Monday night's council meeting.
"I certainly don't see the City of Charlottetown doing this on its own. And if that's what's in the cards then it's definitely not going to happen," Lee said in an interview with CBC News: Compass host Bruce Rainnie.
"Quite honestly, the City of Charlottetown doesn't even need to own this facility when the day comes, if it's ever built."
The city now owns three arenas in Charlottetown: the Eastlink Centre, which is more than 20 years old, and the Cody Banks and Simmons arenas, which are even older. The city spends $1.5 million dollars a year maintaining them, a cost which will only escalate as they age, Lee said.
"Is there the opportunity here to build one facility that's going to serve all of our needs for years to come?" Lee asked.
The committee will look at how many ice surfaces are needed, how to include gymnastics, curling and harness racing and meetings. It'll look at funding partners and capital costs, and come up with a business plan.
In February, council said the task force would need $75,000 to do its work. Last night, that number was increased to $100,000.
Lee expects to see a "pretty solid" report from the task force within a year, he said.