There is still some uncertainty surrounding the proposed Multi-use Indoor Sports Facility.
It was discussed again at the latest city council meeting with a strong focus on potential funding that would take some of the financial load off of Thunder Bay.
City Manager Norm Gale explains how significant this approval would be.
“This is in respect to our funding submission to the Green and Inclusive Community Building Program (GICB),” says Gale. “The estimated project cost of $43.7-million, of which 22.3-million may be available through the GICB Program.”
Currently, the city is waiting on a response from Infrastructure Canada regarding the funding. Thunder Bay was told to expect an answer in Fall 2021.
If the city did acquire the funding today, there would still be some work involved before getting shovels in the ground.
“In actual fact if our funding submissions was approved by Infrastructure Canada, we would have to update the current construction documents to reflect the net-zero guidelines,” explains Kelly Robertson, General Manager of Community Services. “Just to be clear, we would need some time if we were successful and council approved pursuing a transfer payment agreement with Infrastructure Canada, there would have to be some update to our actual construction documents to reflect the net-zero compliance and the standards that are required.”
Council is expected to hear back about the facility in February 2022.
