$60 Million Arena Project to Move Forward

At a quickly called special meeting of Council by Mayor Peter Chirico to address the notice of consideration from the February 13th Council meeting to delay the RFP for the new community centre, the vote remained 9-2 to move forward with the project with a target price of 60 million. The vote was able to move forward by a seldom used "suspension of the rules" clause in the procedural by-law. This effectively suspends the rules Council needs to follow to pass by-laws.

One councilor wanted Council to "delay the vote" to allow the "hundreds" of West Ferris residents to make a presentation on February 27th to put the new arena at the current site of the West Ferris arena. It is not clear or was it explained why (this group won't attend on the 27th or if they have registered to present) as the matter still has to come back to council to vote on awarding the tender, so there is still time to hear their thoughts and ideas. The recommendation states the RFP will be issued early in the 1st quarter of the year.