Northern Bruce Peninsula is deferring its decision on how to proceed with the Lion’s Head Arena redevelopment project again.
Council approved deferring the topic during its meeting on Monday after three options were presented earlier this month.
The options range from changing the scope of the project to improve accessibility, construct change rooms and improve energy efficiencies, costing $7 million. Council could also chose to build a brand new facility on lands it would need to acquire, which would cost the municipality $31 million. The third option includes renovating the arena while constructing a new library and community centre, this comes with a about $20 million price tag.
Coun. Laurie Golden says council is not in a rush to make a decision as they explore their options.
“It’s a big decision and we aren’t really under any huge time constraints on it because our arena at currently is perfectly usable, there are no issues really with structure,” says Golden. “We want to make sure financially, that it is viable for the community.”
Golden was not able to identify a timeline as to when council will move forward with the project, but says the $3.6 million government grant the municipality received must be used by 2028 and hopes they will look at some form of accessibility upgrade for the facility by 2025.
“2028 seems like a long time away, but these projects take a while with planning and everything,” says Golden.
She adds the municipality is also looking at applying for government funding to support whatever option they decide to move forward with.
“We are looking at everything actually right now, like a new build at a different site or upgrading what we have there for the time being and still looking to the future,” says Golden.