Lion's Head Arena Project Drawing (Image from Northern Bruce Peninsula council)
Northern Bruce Peninsula council is pressing the brakes on a revamp of the Lion’s Head community centre & arena.
A recommendation was in front of council Monday to approve spending $17-million for the project, but they voted to defer any decisions until receiving more information from staff.
And judging by the comments from many around the council table, it sounds like there’s little to no appetite to continue pursuing the project as designed now. The plan was to redevelop the existing facility to include a new fitness area, new change rooms, as well as space for the Friendship Club and a new Bruce County library branch.
“This project, on this site, really appears to be quite challenging from a stormwater and septic perspective. Like, really challenging,” says Northern Bruce Peninsula Mayor Milt McIver. “In fact, it’s to the point where I’m really not in favour of going any further on that site.”
A report from Northern Bruce Peninsula CAO Peggy Van Mierlo-West says the current Lion’s Head community centre & arena site is at a lower elevation than nearby streets, creating some challenges for storm water drainage and servicing.
Other councillors balked at the cost. Coun. Laurie Golden says she’s certainly not prepared to approve spending $17-million.
“We have to take a step back and reconsider,” Golden says.
In 2022, Northern Bruce Peninsula approved a $10-million maximum construction cost for the arena. The municipality received approval for a $4.9-million Investing in Canada Infrastructure grant to help finance the project.
But that number was approved before a site servicing review, and Van Mierlo-West says in her report “administration was unaware of the magnitude of impact those costs would have on the project.” Inflationary pressures have also pushed up the price tag.
“Right now, there’s too many unknowns,” says Coun. Todd Dowd. “I don’t think $17-million will be close, especially now that we have all this information regarding drainage.”
Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson: “In my mind, $17-million is far better spent on something new.”
Councillors heard from staff the community centre was built in 1976, while the arena was constructed in 1984.
Northern Bruce Peninsula council will be discussing their options with the Lion’s Head community centre & arena further at a meeting next Monday, Feb. 5.