Thunder Bay’s General Manager of Development Services says the reasons are complicated for not donating the property at 201 Hardisty Street to a gym for youth.
Mark Smith told city council that includes the fact there are substantial liens on the land.
“That are quite sizable, and sales proceeds are required to off-set those liens. There are also some structural issues with the building, that just it far better suited to accepting the offer that has been made.”
City council has approved the sale of the property to a private company that already occupies the building, as is, for $115,000. Smith adds a set of policies also guided city council’s decision not to donate the property to the gym.
“To donate this property to the Underground Gym, or to donate property period, isn’t consistent with council’s policies. There are other ways we support groups like that.”
Underground Gym founder Peter Panetta has told our newsroom he is disappointed, but will move on.
