Letter for November 26 2012 Council Meeting

I am writing this letter over concerns I have regarding, Thunder Bay’s proposed Event Center. There are several concerns I have about this project that I will present here.

1/ Facility Cost : In the CJ Dec 17 2010,the multiplex was suggested to the public. The size was 5500 seats at a cost of $50-60 million. An example presented was the 6100 seat Essar Centre in Sault Ste Marie, built in 2006 at a cost of $25 million.

According to the Oct 9 2012 Consultants report, Thunder Bay’s expected cost is $106,116,750 million at the Water St location, this does not include the cost of moving the Camelot St Hydro station, a cost I’ve been told to be $6.3 million. The report includes the cost of a 200 car parkade, contrary to a March 2012 recommendation for a 500 car parkade at a cost of $16 million. I ask if the “missing” 300 spots are a future surprise we can expect in the future? With the 200 spots costing $7 million (not the $6 million specified) ,the cost for these missing 300 spots will add another $ 10.5 million to the Water St location. What will be the cost to acquire the properties, demolish and site preparation for these spots? I have been told in the neighbourhood of $2-3 million.

The Innova Park location is priced at $106,510 million with no extra costs. The Innova Park price also includes a cost of $4.175 million for roadwork within Innova Park. Travelling into Innova Park weekly, I have observed the roads to be in satisfactory condition, though work will likely be needed in the future but not as a priority, as there are numerous other roads more urgently requiring work. I also feel the roadwork cost is improperly allocated to Innova Parks cost. I summarize the cost as such.

Water St Cost $106,116,750
Hydro Stn relocation & cleanup $6.3 million
Additional 300 car parkade $10.5 million
Property acquisition, demolition, cleanup, etc $ 2.5 million
Total Cost at Water Street $125,416,750
　
　

Innova Park Cost $106,510,00
Less misallocated and unnecessary road work $4,175,000
Total Cost at Innova Park $102,335,000
Clearly the Innova Park option is a far cheaper location by $23,081,750. This is a substantial amount and clearly illustrates the facility should be built at Innova Park

2/ Access & Parking: The cost of parking in the consultants report includes 2000 spots at Innova Park. It does not include the full 500 spots specified in March 2012 as mentioned above. With access north to Oliver Rd via Burwood/Central/Golf Links from the NW parking lot, and south access onto Golf Links/Edward/Harbour Expressway from the SW parking lot, will make exiting Innova Park quite efficient. Innova Parks traffic flow will be substantially more efficient than from the Downtown parkades, and other parking areas. The report states that once patrons arrive at their vehicle, there departure will be immediate. This claim is quite unlikely, as exiting any parkade is a slow process and this is compounded by traffic signals at Red River Rd and Camelot St that will slow the traffic flow.
The average walk to patrons vehicle is much shorter at Innova Park, on flat terrain which will make access easier for all patrons. The hilly terrain surrounding the Water St location will become an impediment to many ,as well as deterring many. This is quite important, with over 50% of Thunder Bay’s population over the age of 50. Innova Parks central location makes it equally accessible from all area’s of the city.

3/ Proximity to Supporting Facilities : Again Innova Park is superior to Water St. Supporting facilities at Lakehead University, Confederation College, and the city’s better hotels along Arthur St are a 5-10 minute Drive. While Water St has several fine restaurants close, Innova Park has several fine restaurants with in a 5-10 minute drive. It is also a fair assumption that with the growth of Innova Park, other restaurants, hotel(s) will choose to locate there. The close proximity of these supporting facilities is of great importance to the success of the facility. Hamilton chose to locate its convention facility away from their “supporting facilities”, and it struggles in Canada’s “Golden Horseshoe”. How can we we expect to succeed by following a failing business model?
( see Gary Laine: Viewpoint CJ April 27 2012)

4/ Benefit to the whole city : Building at Innova Park offers the unique opportunity to help offset its building and operating cost. With the stimulating of Innova Park, the sale of lots there will allow the city to recover its original investment, with sale profits helping offset the cost of the facility. The new tax revenue off these lots will help offset the operating cost of the facility. Innova Parks central location offers benefit(s) to all business in Thunder Bay, not one specific area.

5/ Operating Costs : The suggested yearly operating costs are suggested to be between $1.198 million to $1.404 million, based on 40 hockey games and 180 events in the convention facility. The are quite ambitious projections and failing to meet them will only result in a far higher operation deficit. Other cities have fell far short on their projections, at a huge cost to taxpayers! One major omission is, what is Thunder Bay’s “competitive advantage”, so that we can secure these dates, at a loss to other communities? This is more concerning, when according to MacLeans magazine (Jan 16 2012) there is a glut of convention facilities in North America.

The suggested 40 hockey games, is a lofty goal, as presently the LU Thunder wolves play 20-25 games including exhibition & playoffs, with an AHL team playing 35 home games each season. In a previous report, an AHL team needed an average of 4200 fans to break even, prices in the AHL range $20-30. The LU Thunderwolves average 2500-3000 fans at $12 per ticket, clearly the AHL option is an unlikely scenario when our geographic location further compounds it. Teams in the AHL have had a recent history of being “short term”, with several relocating on a seemingly regular basis. One needs only look at the Abbotsford BC experience (CJ March 3 2012) to forget an AHL team as a prospective tenant.

The suggestion of “naming rights”, is not a certainty as the TB Community Auditorium explored this avenue with little success.

6/ Peoples Preference : Several polls that have run in the Chronicle Journal, with over 1500 voters have preferred Innova Park over Water St.

May 10 2011
Innova Park 35% 551 votes vs. Water St 26% 411 votes, the other four choices account for the balance of the 1595 votes.

June 27 2011
Innova Park 60% 1273 votes vs. Water St 29& 613 votes, the other two choices account for the balance of the 2122 votes.

Oct 17 2012 In the wrong location 64% (973 votes)

Perfect-Its the right location 21% (312 votes)
Something taxpayers can't afford 15% (221 votes)
No Opinion 1% (8 votes)
Total Votes 1514

Quite clearly, the people in Thunder Bay overwhelmingly prefer the Innova Park location, and loudly reject Water St as a location for this facility. I am of a firm belief that the taxpayers of Thunder Bay must decide the location. The taxpayers are the owners of it and ultimately will “Vote” on its location, by either supporting it, or not supporting it! It makes sense to me that the vote be held in a plebiscite to, decide its (future) location, and if we should proceed at this time. This is a very contentious and divisive issue in the community, with some resorting to personal attacks to make their point. I know as I have been on the receiving end of these personal barbs. We the people, must make the choice that wil leave a positive lasting legacy we can celebrate and bring our city together as one. To do otherwise is a trap for fools!

　

　

　

Cost of Comparable OHL Arena's,and One NHL Arena

The cost of this proposed multiplex has gone "completely off the rails", with the Water St location driving the price to an unaffordable cost. Why is it so high? Compare what other cities, that have Ontario Hockey League teams, have paid to build their facilities. To clearly illustrate how outrageous it is, compare the Thunder Bay price tag to what it cost Winnipeg to build the MTS Centre where the Winnipeg Jets play in the NHL!

NHL Arena

MTS Centre,(Home of Winnipeg Jets)
Winnipeg Manitoba, Hockey 15,004

Construction cost $133.5 million ($175 million in 2012 dollars)

Ontario Hockey League Arena’s

 

Budweiser Gardens , (Formerly John Labatt Centre)

London Ontario, Hockey 9100

Construction cost $42 million, plus $10 million for land

Sleeman Centre

Guelph Ontario, Hockey 4,195

Construction cost $21 million ($26.4 million in 2012 dollars)

 

Essar Centre

Sault Ste Marie Ontario, Hockey 5000

Construction cost $25 million ($28 million in 2012 dollars)

 

General Motors Centre

Oshawa Ontario, Hockey 6107

Construction cost $45 million ($49.4 million in 2012 dollars)

K-Rock Centre

Kingston Ontario, Hockey 5700

Construction cost $46.5 million ($48.8 million in 2012 dollars)

 

WFCU Centre

Windsor Ontario Hockey 6500

Construction cost $71,000,000

Hershey Centre 

Mississauga Ontario, Hockey 5420

Construction cost $22 million ($28.9 million in 2012 dollars)

 

Powerade Centre

Brampton Ontario, Hockey 4800

Construction cost $26.5 million ($34.8 million in 2012 dollars)

　

Thunder Bay

Hockey 5700

$125 Million at Water St bus terminal

Innova Park is at least $23.5 million cheaper !

　

Innova Park Location is Over $22 Million Dollars Cheaper to Build Multiplex

The cost to build Multiplex at Water St bus terminal $106,000,000 + these unmentioned costs not included in the Consultants "Book of Dreams" $2-3 million to purchase Shoreline and the neighboring Cumberland St. building to build remaining 300 car parkade (200 car parkade accounted for on Beer Store site) + at least $10 million to build parkade for those 300 spots + $5-6 million (or more) to move hydro station = $125 million or more to build at the Water St bus depot!

At Innova Park $106 million (actual or exaggerated?) - $4.5 million for the unnecessary repaving and road widening (this is not a priority,there are other roads in much greater need in the city)=$101.5 million

Innova Park is at least $23.5 million cheaper than the Water St bus terminal. This does not include the amount that Innova Parks price has been exaggerated!

What location do you think makes the most sense?

Why did the consultant not consider the "Walmart Factor"?

In the consultants report,it fails to consider the "Walmart Factor" in its suggestion, that building at the Water St bus terminal will make the former PA downtown an active, vibrant area once again. With Walmart having opened a new store at County Fair Plaza, with another coming at Arthur St Marketplace, it can only be a matter of time before both these malls are "active and vibrant" again. Regardless of whether one is a Walmart fan or not, Walmart does create a lot of traffic. So if you were opening a store that would compliment (forget competing) a Walmart, where would you open it, where Walmart has created lots of traffic or in one of the former cores?
    Here is an interesting scenario, if it was a private developer would the city be so willing to surrender parking spaces? Ironically only a Walmart could "Revitalize" either of the former cores!

http://www.opinionatedbastard.ca/?p=7528

Latest CJ Poll Is the Downtown Location the correct location?

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/editorial/poll/2012-10-17

The city is proposing to build a new multi-purpose event centre in the north downtown core. That plan is:

In the wrong location 64% (973 votes)

 

 

 

Perfect-Its the right location 21% (312 votes)

 

Something taxpayers can't afford 15% (221 votes)

 

No Opinion 1% (8 votes)

 

Total Votes 1514 

Time for Action

The next meeting on this issue is Nov 21 7PM

@ TB Community Auditorium

Council votes on this Monday Nov 26th

Come out and let council know what you think!

They can only place it where they want

it if you allow them to!

Tell Council YOU DEMAND a Plebiscite

The following quotes are from the Chronicle Journal Editorial

Friday April 27/2012

"the power brokers must always bear in mind who’s in charge. Grand plans cost money and it mostly comes from taxpayers."

"Presumably, the consultants will have an answer for this. They always do, but there’s no way to hold them to account if they’re wrong."

"Hobbs thinks the fix is in among consultants and city administrators to arrange that in order to assure the waterfront district gets the multiplex"

(Mayor Hobbs has stated the CJ editorial was inaccurate, and he made no such statement)

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/editorial/daily_editorial/2012-04-27/follow-development

It is important the city gets this right,we'll be spending around $150 - 200 million. The people should decide, not council! If you agree, send council a message that

YOU DEMAND a plebiscite!

khobbs@thunderbay.ca,
 afoulds@thunderbay.ca, tgiertuga@thunderbay.ca, ppugh@thunderbay.ca, lrydholm@thunderbay.ca, mbentz@thunderbay.ca, bmckinnon@thunderbay.ca, jvirdiramo@thunderbay.ca, kboshcoff@thunderbay.ca, iangus@thunderbay.ca, rjohnson@thunderbay.ca, lhebert@thunderbay.ca, aruberto@thunderbay.ca
,tcommisso@thunderbay.ca

Where is Innova Park?

Innova Park from the TB Expressway

Innova Park at the corner of Central Ave & Innovation Drive

Multiplex location @ corner of Capitol Way & Innovation Drive

Innova Park is Centrally located in Thunder Bay,near Thunder Bay Regional, Lakehead University, and Confederation College at the corner of the Harbour Expressway and the Expressway. It is surrounded by the Thunder Bay Expressway ,Harbour Expressway,Golf Links Road and Oliver Road. Entrances are located on Oliver Road,Golf Links Road (2), and Harbour Expressway. Golf Links Rd is in the city plans for four laning & lights at Central Ave.

http://www.thunderbay.ca/City_Government/News_and_Strategic_Initiatives/Renew_Thunder_Bay/Golf_Links_Rd_Junot_Ave_Improvement_Project.htm

South Entrance on Golf Links Road

Central Ave Entrance on Golf Links Road

(traffic signals are slated to be installed here)

Oliver Road Entrance onto Burwood Drive

Harbour Expressway Entrance

All Roads Lead To Innova Park

Right click to open in new window

Innova Park is surrouned on all four sides by four lanes roads. The TB Expressway, Harbor Expressway, Oliver Road are already four laned, with Golf Links Rd. is to be four laned from Harbor Expressway, to Red River Rd. A traffic signal is also to be added to the Golf Links/ Central Ave intersection.

 Innova Parks central location is Superior in serving Thunder Bay equitably. Comparable distances are,

Innova Park

South to Loch Lomond Road 11 minutes

North to Hodder Ave/Arundel 13 minutes

SE to East End Bridge 7 minutes

NW to County Fair 8 minutes

S to Frederica St 8 minutes

N to PA Clinic  9 minutes

How Sensible is Water St, Innova Park Trumps it!

Supporters of Water St as a location of a new multiplex have prepared a handout on why they believe it is the best location. I have responded to all their points, to refute the reasons they give, and why Innova Park is the Superior location! This is their handout, as of April 21/2012.

http://thenotsonews.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/pro-waterfront-handout/

___________________________________________________

Downtown Waterfront Multiplex

Economic   

–                 Between Greenfield/downtown sites, the downtown sites did significantly better for economic reasons because they had the 'Critical Mass'

–                 Innova Park is in an early stage of developing. Private development in the area is  expanding south to Innova Park. Recent developments include, Days Inn (in second expansion), mini mall with 5 Forks restaurant @ Oliver Rd/Golf Links Rd. ,chiropractic clinic, grocery store ,pet food store.  Thunder Bay Country Club is commencing a major condominium project.

–                 Based on the consultant's comments the Downtown site would have “Medium-Good” economic spin off from the beginning where as the Innova site would have almost none till the long term (5-10 years).

–                 The “Economic Benefit” realized by this facility being built at Innova Park, would be for the whole city, not just “downtown” businesses. With the placing of the facility in Innova Park, it would trigger the development of Innova Park benefitting the city finances two fold. When the lots are sold, the “City of Thunder Bay” recovers its investment in Innova Park, and receives property taxes on the sold properties. The sale of lots helps to offset the cost of building, and the property taxes will help to offset operating costs of the facility. This is of great benefit to all residents of Thunder Bay with helping to keep tax increases to a minimum. There is no comparable  benefit from the Water Street location.

–                 The downtown site would support local bars, restaurants, shops that are already set up and paying taxes.

–                 All businesses in Thunder Bay pay taxes, there have already been tens of millions of taxpayer dollars  spent in the former downtown PA. The Ontario Govt Building, The Casino, Marina Park . HOW MUCH MORE ARE TAXPAYERS EXPECTED TO SPEND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS? The perception this facility will make the former downtown PA a vibrant locale, is debatable, downtown FW has deteriorated  greatly, even with FW Gardens bringing people downtown.

History

–                 Based on the consultants comments “A majority of new arenas were being built in downtown and a majority of successful ones were downtown”

–                 Thunder Bay is unique, different from most other cities, it was two cities to be joined as one. To suggest that either of the two former downtowns is presently “Downtown” is a great misrepresentation. The Oliver Road/CLE Fairgrounds truly represents Thunder Bay’s “Downtown”.

–                 Of the 3 brownfield sites in Ontario, none were able to provide an economic stimulus to the area where as the downtown sites ranged from small-great

–                 Several downtown  arenas named by the consultants, are suffering financially. The support of the hockey crowd is of great  importance to the success of an arena. The overwhelming choice of Thunder Bay hockey supporters is Innova Park.

-        The John Labatt center in downtown London revitalized the downtown and is making money year after year.

–                 London Ontario draws from a much larger and denser surrounding population, then Thunder Bay. Their OHL team can draw competing teams fans, who are located a couple hours away.

Cost

–                 The downtown site was originally expected to be around 80 million dollars, the lowest of the 6 original sites

–                 The cost of the proposed facility has already escalated in cost  to the most recent figure of $100 million. The Innova Park price could not have increased by this amount with no changes having been made. The original cost figure given for Innova Park included the cost of a parking lot, no parking facilities were included in the Water St figures, thus the perceived lower cost. Since the original cost was given, a  parkade costing $16 million has been added to Water St, thus  making Innova Park the least expensive of the two sites.

–                 The Innova arena would be built on land worth 2 million dollars. The downtown site is only $750,000.

–                 With the cost of soil remediation on the site of hydro sub-station tagged at $3.5 million, the Water St. site is not $750,000 but, $4.25 million! Quite a difference in cost!

                 Interesting that they value the Innova property at $2million, this is the asking price for the site,not what the city spent on developing the site. Also,why is land for the waterfront condo project only (fair market value) valued at $690,067.50, after the amount spent by the city preparing the site, and the Innova Park $2 million? Does something sound strange here?

–                 While the underground parking is expected to be $13 million, it doesn't need to be cleared of snow and can provide easy access for box owners, disabled, elderly and pregnant mothers. The Innova site would need 8 million spent on a parking lot which would need to be cleared of snow and monitored by police (new search area)

–                 The cost of an announced parkade figure given was $16 million, underground parking for $13 million, either bring the cost higher than Innova Park.   Additional snow removal will still be required at Water St, a winter storm during an event would create hazardous situations for both motorists and pedestrians. New tax revenue from Innova Park can help offset any extra snow removal costs.

–                 The downtown site doesn't need any upgrade work to the road system, where as Innova needs to be 4 laned and a set of lights would be added to the expressway to alleviate traffic (If MTO approves)

–                 Golf Links Road has already been designated to be widened to four lanes, with a new traffic signal at the Golf Links/Central Ave. Intersection. This would have Innova Park surrounded by four lane roads on all four sides.

Parking/Traffic

–                 The downtown site would have 400 less cars at the games and 8% more people would ride transit

–                 Water St is to hold 5700 fans, at 4 per vehicle, 1425 spots would be needed. With a total of around 900 available spots, where would the other 500 plus park? Transit travels down Golf Links road already, transit routes are updated as required to accommodate new stops, as was done with TB Regional. Lots of bike paths presently exist in the neighboring Lakehead University and Confederation College area. Both Lakehead and Confederation are within walking distance of Innova Park. It is quite likely there would be increased support for LU Thunderwolves, who are likely tenants for a new facility.

–                 The longest walk someone would have in the downtown site is 12 minutes, where as the Innova site is 9. Difference is that downtown you have stores and resturaunts and Innova is a parking lot.

–                 There are several restaurants in the Intercity area within a five minute drive from Innova Park. Such restaurants include, The Keg, Applebee’s, and Montana’s. The majority of the cities better hotels are located 5-10 minutes from Innova Park, including Valhalla Inn, Travelodge, Victoria Inn, as well as a new Hampton Inn, and Marriott. Other supporting facilities include Lakehead University, Confederation College. These hotels and supporting facilities are of significant importance when hosting conventions, trade shows, etc.

–                 It would take around 10-15 minutes to get from the building and out the parking lot in Innova, its about the same in the downtown except your leaving from a larger number of streets.

–                 The walk from the front door is actually less than five minutes on flat terrain, to the furthest point in the parking lot!  This walk will be easier on patrons of all age groups, 50 % of Thunder Bay’s  population is over 50 years of age. Water St to the parkades are uphill, which will likely exclude many patrons.  Why  are such facts being misrepresented?

Vision

–                 The city designated the downtown north core as the 'entertainment district” and to quote the consultant “Arenas that are built on there own tend to not do so well, its better when they are a part of something bigger”

–                 These designations seem to be “designations of convenience”. The former FW downtown was designated as “Government”, if so why is the Ontario Government build in downtown PA?

–                 With the huge amount of money put into Marina park it would be good to continue to additions

         

–                 After tens of millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent in downtown PA, it  has failed to spur  new private sector developments, to generate new tax revenues for Thunder Bay. Has that previous spending created a good “return on investment”? Absolutely not! The Water St location of a new multiplex, is very "restricting" , and "limiting" in providing  options for any type of future expansion or growth! This is a "defining project" for Thunder Bay, that can either unite us or divide us. We need to answer the question, "Are we “one city”, Thunder Bay? , or is the legacy left from this project one that keeps us divided for the lifetime of the facility!

" Great developers never,limit their options,nor restrict their ability to grow" Donald Trump

 

Innova Park,Offers The Only Real Economic Benefit for The City

The talk of the proposed multiplex,and its "economic impact" is quite debatable. The claim that it would increase economic activity in downtown PA if built on Water St is open to scrutiny,when downtown FW has declined,even with FW Gardens bringing people downtown for 60 years,so is that claimed impact a certainty? Increased "economic activity" in downtown is of benefit primarily to the businesses located there,not the whole city,and could be interpreted as a subsidy by some. Innova Park offers,the  great potential for real economic benefit for the city. There has been more private sector  development around Innova Park, generating new revenue for the city,than some realize. The River Terrace housing development is rapidly encroaching on Thunder Bay Regional,the Days Inn on Golf Links Rd is doing its second expansion ,there is a new mini mall at the corner of Oliver Rd, a new pet food store, a new chiropractic clinic, a new grocery store, and the development of a new condo project at Thunder Bay Country Club. This development is moving south to Innova Park. Built in the 1990's, it has been largely vacant, though that could turn out to be a major windfall economically for the city. With the boost of a new multiplex located in Innova Park, it would likely be the impetus needed for Innova Park to flourish, generating new revenue for the city. Innova Park is on property owned by the city, and the benefit economically will be two fold. When lots are sold in Innova Park,the city will be recovering its investment in Innova Park, and the property will generate new property tax revenue for the city. These new revenues for the city will partially offset building costs, and ease the expected operating expense on the new multiplex. Innova Park is the only location in Thunder Bay with these real economic benefits! This should be the "economic benefit" we seek out in the development of major public sector developments.

Innova Park Multiplex Preview

Multiplex Online Open House, Multiplex Facebook Page & other Info

City of Thunder Bay Multiplex Webpages
http://www.thunderbay.ca/City_Government/News_and_Strategic_Initiatives/Event_Centre.htm
http://www.facebook.com/ThunderBayEventCentre

Citizens For An Innova Park Multiplex
http://www.facebook.com/ThunderBayEventCentre#!/groups/423840314308798/

Mayor Hobbs said...

khobbs@thunderbay.ca

“We have to build a Thunder Bay Multiplex. Not a Fort William or a Port Arthur multiplex.”

Mayor Keith Hobbs,  CJ June 3/2011


“The public has to make this decision not council,not the Mayor" "We're going to take advice from the public on this one."

Mayor Keith Hobbs, TBT Newswatch June 2/2011

Whose interests is City Council representing?
If they aren't yours, email Mayor Hobbs and City Council and let them know you want them to represent you! Let them know you'd like your say in a plebiscite,which could be held next election.

Council
 afoulds@thunderbay.ca, tgiertuga@thunderbay.ca, ppugh@thunderbay.ca, lrydholm@thunderbay.ca, mbentz@thunderbay.ca, bmckinnon@thunderbay.ca, jvirdiramo@thunderbay.ca, kboshcoff@thunderbay.ca, iangus@thunderbay.ca, rjohnson@thunderbay.ca, lhebert@thunderbay.ca, aruberto@thunderbay.ca

City Manager
tcommisso@thunderbay.ca

The Choice of the people is Clearly Innova Park

The 2011 Chronicle Journal poll shows the choice of the proposed multiplex is clearly Innova Park. 2122 people voted in the poll,and 60% (1273)want Innova Park,more than double that of the Water Street site 29% (613). A previous poll with other choices had Innova Park 35% with Water Street 26%. At the open houses, Innova was the clear choice as well,though the choice was more divided on the north side. The reasons for Innova Park far out number any reasons for Water Street as the reasons against Water Street out number any reasons for it. The people have spoken,and are speaking. If Thunder Bay is truly a democracy and our council truly represent the will of the people,then Innova Park is the location of a new multiplex. Any decision to build elsewhere by council would be a betrayal of our democratic system, and gross misrepresentation.
Where does the city & council think the support is for the Water Street location? Check the poll results from these CJ poll's .
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/editorial/poll/2011-06-27
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/editorial/poll/2011-05-10

Thunder Bay,More one city in 1921,than in 2012

The placing of a new multiplex on Water St in the former downtown PA,rather than in the more equitably accessible (to all of the city) Innova Park location, will prevent Thunder Bay from growing into a city of one,and perpetuate the "tale of two cities" identity that has existed,and continues to exist. As a city of one, decision's made in the 1920's were to the benefit of both communities having relatively equal access. A July 8 1921 article in the Daily Times Journal tells of, making the "Agricultural Grounds" (CLE) a "central sporting center" for both cities. The voting on such a proposal, was unanimous, among the voters at the meeting. Attending were representitives of,the agricultural society, Twin City Drivers Assn,Twin Port Motor Club, & FW Public works. While the race track was a big part of the designation,it was also including numerous other sporting/recreational activities throughout the year, which occurred at the agricultural grounds. What makes this choice,and co-operation even more remarkable is that in 1920,a plebiscite on amalgamation was declined. So, 90 years prior to amalgamation, the twin cities thought the idea of "centralization" for benefit of both cities made good sense. Now here we are, forty plus years after amalgamation, and the thought of "centralization" of a multiplex to serve the whole city seems like a bad idea to certain councillors and media in Thunder Bay! I'm sure some will call this progress.