As the 2020 Canada Summer Games approach, city council is debating Thorold’s financial commitment to facilities being built for the event, as well as to ongoing operating costs following the Games.
At last Tuesday’s council meeting, Coun. Ken Sentance made a motion that a draft letter provided to the city be sent back “to find out what, if any, funding we can get from the federal government” for recreational facilities.
Mayor Terry Ugulini informed council that “All the municipalities and the region are putting pressure on the feds and the province to find out how it’s going to be operated, so we can go to Queen’s Park and find out. Time is of the essence as far as getting to the point where we know the scope of the project.”
Coun. John Kenny wanted to clarify the letter’s intent: “We are asking not for funding but for support to work with the Games committee.”
Jim Handley cautioned against using the word "partnership," and the councillor asked for an amendment to the motion, stating that the city would not be liable for any financial commitment.
According to Geoff Holman, the city’s director of public works and community services, “We have been meeting with the Games committee, and were informed last Friday that they are willing to come to talk to local councils, but they need to know what the contribution will be from the province and the feds, and we don’t have any numbers yet. We have to consider our other capital needs, and the big concern for us is the operation of the new facility; what will the obligation be to the municipality on an annual basis?”
As a rule, “Most recreational facilities are not money-makers,” he continued. “It’s difficult for us at this time to sign that draft letter they provided, but I recognize that these opportunities come along not very often and it’s a good opportunity for the city to host the Games. We just want to make sure we don’t commit to a project over which we don’t have control. We should be inviting the Games people to come to this council and explain the plan.”
Holman said his comments “are not intended to be negative. We just don’t want to sign not knowing the details. They are looking for us to bring a letter showing cooperation among all the stakeholders to Queen’s Park.”
“I don’t see anything that’s binding us,” said Coun. Nella Dekker, adding, “I agree with Ken Sentance that we should at least show some interest in the Games and not let it slip by.”
Coun. Anthony Longo asked if the letter was intended to be sent to the provincial government. Ugulini replied, “Yes, federal and provincial.”
The mayor added that “The Games go ahead regardless of the extended funding, because I think there’s some base funding there,” but at this stage he’s uncertain about “all the logistics. This is to build the type of complex they want to build and the funding will be required at the provincial and federal level. They have applied to recognize lacrosse, and some other issues. The concept will depend on the level of funding they receive.”
“I have a problem with some of the wording” in the letter, stated Longo; “To say we ‘enthusiastically support’ it when we don’t have details.”
Longo added, “There’s an $8 million possible spend for an arena. I’m not extremely excited. I’m extremely concerned, because I know no details. We need to re-word it slightly if we send a letter.”
Kenny suggested having the mayor seek answers to some of council’s questions, and said that “Saying we don’t have money” could send a negative message.
“This is not a financial commitment,” said Ugulini. “We have to have faith in our staff, and they are not going to come to our council without information on costs of construction and operating costs.” He added that the letter issued was “a template, so we can adjust the language accordingly,” to clearly indicate that there is no financial obligation from the city attached to it.
City CAO Manoj Dilwaria suggested that council request members of the Games committee attend Thorold’s next council meeting to answer questions.
“The meeting with us would come after they get a commitment from the other levels of government,” said Longo. “I don’t want to get their hopes up and say, ‘Here’s my wallet’.”
