A motion by a Chatham councillor to strike an arena oversight committee could face an uphill climb.
Councillor Michael Bondy plans to ask council Monday night to direct administration to strike the committee prior to any further action regarding a new arena.
Bondy also wants any feasibility study regarding new arena investments to include the following options:
a. Take no action
b. Refurbish Memorial Arena and add a second ice pad
c. Construct a new twin pad arena with one pad with 2,500 seats to accommodate the Chatham Maroons and a second community ice pad with 200-300 seats
d. Construct a 5,000-plus seat area to accommodate an OHL franchise with two or three additional ice pads with community-based seating
Bondy's motion stated that any feasibility study regarding new arena investments must include a 30-year tax levy estimate for each option and an analysis of the impact on lifecycle budgets for all other arenas.
He's also requesting no service reductions in any arenas across Chatham-Kent until a study regarding new arena investments is completed and adopted by council.
However, administration said the proposed motion is inconsistent with the intent of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, would cost an additional $400,000 to hire a consultant to complete the feasibility study, and take one year to complete the request.
"The magnitude of new scope and the addition of an Arena Oversight Committee will add significant time to the process. The terms of reference will need to address if this is an advisory body or a delegated decision-making body of Council as it will impact project timelines," the staff report stated. "Other projects may be delayed due to the motion requirements, as the additional scope was not part of the current work plan, and Administration was proceeding with the recommendations within the Parks and Recreation Master Plan as approved by Council."
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan identifies the development of a multi-use recreation complex with a minimum of two ice pads as a priority capital initiative.
Administration said that if the motion is adopted, it would introduce an additional governance layer, delaying the process and creating a two-layer governance structure because all decisions would still lie with council.
Staff noted work on the master plan has already begun, and the motion would be contrary to what council has already approved.
The Municipal Clerk has advised that Bondy's motion must be reconsidered, which requires the support of two-thirds of the councillors present.
Click here to view the full motion.
