THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay has extended the comment period for the proposed indoor turf facility. The move came a few days after the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce produced a report and questioned the proposals being put forth by Administration.
The online presentation has also drawn fire from critics because there isn’t a means to put full commentary on the report, according to a number of readers in their messages to NetNewsLedger.
The public comment period on the proposed Chapples multi-use indoor turf facility is extended until Monday, August 3, 2020, to offer an additional opportunity for input.
Interested individuals can watch a virtual presentation by Stantec Architecture on the proposed facility and, as of Friday, July 17, also view the first Report to City Council on the proposed facility which includes specific details on the proposal such as costing. The presentation, Report, and online comment form welcoming any additional resident comments can be found at www.thunderbay.ca/GetInvolved.
The virtual presentation by Stantec Architecture can also be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel, Tbaytel OnDemand under Local Content – Neighbourhood OnDemand, and on Shaw’s Community Producers show airing at 7 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, and 9:30 pm on Shaw Spotlight Channel 10 and BlueCurve Channel 105.
All public comments will be shared with City Council who will be discussing the Chapples multi-use indoor turf facility at their meeting on August 10, 2020.
There are a growing number of residents and Council members who are questioning the timing of the proposal, and the cost to the City during the recovery period from the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has pulled funds from the Emergency Reserves and the MAT rebate on gasoline that usually goes toward roads and infrastructure. The cost of the proposed facility is estimated at $30 million.
Proposed uses for the facility include soccer, walking, ultimate, football, baseball, drone competitions, cricket, lacrosse, trade shows, large community events/cultural gatherings, and a potential emergency evacuation centre.
The Chamber of Commerce questioned the city over some of the assertions in the proposal as there is not a floor to cover the turf for tradeshows.
Some people are questioning the use of the proposed facilities for Pow Wows as there is an annual LUNSA Pow Wow at Lakehead University and Fort William First Nation holds its annual event in June up on the mountain.
For more information, visit: www.thunderbay.ca/GetInvolved
