A wide range of city issues discussed by Thunder Bay Mayor Bill Mauro during a virtual townhall meeting Wednesday night, but it was city finances, the multi-use indoor turf facility and COVID-19 leading the way.
During this report, we focus on the turf facility, with future analysis of city finances, COVID-19, and other issues still to come.
The mayor clarified the multi-use turf facility could still end up near the Canada Games Complex.
He said while analysis has shown Chapples Park as the preferred site, switching to land near the Canada Games Complex would take additional work.
“Not that that would be the wrong thing, maybe some people would still support it. But it would be my expectations that you would be going down a path that would take years again, you know, I don’t know if an environmental assessment, as an example, would be required… geotechnical work,” pointed out the mayor.
Another question asked about having a bubble, to replace the one toppled during a winter storm in 2016, versus a permanent structure.
Mauro noted due to heat loss the bubble would cost significantly more to run, something city staff revealed in a 2019 report. “It recommended out of the two options that the other one would be preferred. Probably because the city also has its own facility designed guideline policies that speak very clearly to energy efficiencies.”
The mayor added he’s raised at city council whether it’ll be a public or private building.
He also confirmed private sector involvement is encouraged, pointing to over a year ago when city council unanimously approved re-zoning of a lot for a private structure.
“Some would suggest that because council was still seeking its own project, that the private developer would’ve waited until that decision was final…. I think that’s fair that they would’ve considered that. I would also say based on what city administration told us, there was room for both,” revealed Mauro.
The mayor also repeated assertions by some in the community this is a soccerplex are inaccurate. He noted the main tenant will be soccer players, but it’ll be open for many other user groups.
The Sportsdome at the CLE grounds collapsed during a snowstorm in November of 2016, sparking the search for an indoor facility.
Both men’s and women’s soccer communities have not had a season, that was cancelled with no place to play. Other sporting groups are also interested in the multi-use facility, which would also have amenities for them, as well as a restaurant, change rooms and track for walking or running.