Memorial Centre replacement study considering a dozen sites

City council ordered a moredetailed report Monday describing how a new sports and entertainment facility could potentially look, right down to details such as seating capacity and food concessions.

The report is also expected to recommend an ideal location in Peterborough for such a facility, which would replace the 61-yearold Memorial Centre.

Council has asked its consultant, Sierra Planning and Management in Toronto, to consider downtown locations first.

Coun. Gary Baldwin told fellow councillors Monday that the lead consultant, Jon Hack, told him following a town-hall meeting at the Evinrude Centre last week that they are analyzing between eight and 12 locations at the moment.

Baldwin said he’s looking forward to hearing more from Sierra about exactly what kind of sports and entertainment facility would be feasible for Peterborough.

“Something that’s attainable — not too pie-in-the-sky,” he said.

Council heard from Sierra in March that it would be wise to consider replacing the Memorial Centre.

Coun. Dean Pappas said he was also at the Evinrude Centre meeting on the prospective new sports and entertainment facility last week.

“There’s lots of enthusiasm in the community for a new facility, but we have to be cautious,” he said.

The consultant hasn’t yet told council how much it might cost to build a new facility or recommended ways for the city to finance it and manage it.

Coun. Diane Therrien emphasized that she is looking for “a true community facility that is more than just an arena.”

Council heard from just one

citizen at the meeting Monday regarding the prospective replacement of the Memorial Centre.

Gary Larson urged councillors to only consider a property where long-term expansion is possible.

“Let’s not handcuff ourselves,” he said.

Sierra’s report is expected by council in May.