Nanaimo taxpayers could be on the hook for almost a million dollars for a new event centre – before shovels even hit the ground.
City council voted 8-1 Monday night to hold a referendum on a new sports and entertainment complex that could cost close to $90-million.
Coun. Diane Brennan was the lone vote against the project proceeding.
“I can honestly say I have not talked to one person who has said ‘yay, let’s go with it,’” Brannan said.
The city has so far spent $495,000 on phases one and two of the proposed event centre. While it’s unclear how much the next step will cost, there is concern the city could spend close to a million dollars before the project even goes to referendum.
“I’m not going to support hiring and securing the services of a legal advisor, of a financial advisor, of a project manager,” Brannan said at Monday’s meeting.
While admitting to sticker shock, Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay says more research is necessary.
“The public wants answers to these questions,” he said.
Included in the next phase, the city will begin negotiations with the Western Hockey League on the possibility of awarding the Harbour City a WHL franchise – a team that could be the anchor tenant of the new facility.
“If you wish to have an event centre without a major tenant, then you will fail,” said Coun. Bill Bestwick.
Taxpayers who spoke to CTV News were divided on the issue, but will ultimately get their say at the polls.
According to the city, a vote could be held as early as February 2017.
If approved, the complex could be built by the summer of 2019.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Jessica Lepp
