Time to replace PMC: Bennett
Despite COVID -19, DBIA chair wants a new, modern sports venue as part of a larger entertainment facility
COVID-19 accelerates the need for a new major arena and entertainment centre, says the Peterborough DBIA chair.
On Friday, Mayor Diane Therrien said the financial shortfalls caused by COVID-19 make it more challenging to consider taking on a project like an $85million to $100-million replacement of the 64-year-old Memorial Centre.
Paul Bennett, Downtown Business Improvement Area chair and member of a steering committee helping to select a site for a PMC replacement, has a different take.
“All that COVID-19 has done is increase the pace of trends that were already happening,” said Bennett.
“One of those big trends was people moving to smaller communities like Peterborough that offer an incredible way of life. We obviously need to add extensive recreational facilities to keep this a vibrant and active community and those needs will just increase now. As it relates to the PMC replacement, I was always hopeful to see this as part of a bigger vision by creating a recreational, cultural, arts hub that would make Peterborough a true destination.”
City council had set a goal of selecting a site for a new complex by the end of 2019. That decision was pushed back when in the fall of ’19 council asked consultants Sierra Planning and Management to add the Market Plaza to its shortlist of sites. Sierra was to report back to council in early ’20 but community services commissioner Sheldon Laidman said the pandemic caused further delays. The consultants will meet with the steering committee today to review their updated report, which Laidman expects to go before council Nov. 9.
It will be up to council to determine next steps, said Laidman.
“If council chooses to move forward to a next step, as part of that presentation, it would be incumbent upon staff to develop a revised time frame to bring back the next components of this plan,” he said. “The consultants’ report will outline what the next step would be if council decides to move forward.”
Laidman said Bennett’s take on the issue is an interesting observation.
“That’s an important concept to be taking into consideration,” he said. “Are the demographics changing? Is the demand and supply side of this equation changing because of changing population or interests?”
The city is undergoing a revision of its official plan, expected to be completed in 2121, and such a major project in the downtown needs to be included in that planning process, said Laidman.
“That is a consideration that will be outlined in the consultants’ report, as well as the staff report, of co-ordinating with the official plan process; in particular how it might relate to the downtown or Lansdowne consideration for Morrow Park as a site.”
The Peterborough Petes have advocated for a new arena going back to 2003. That’s when they signed a 20-year PMC lease on the understanding it would bridge them to a new facility.
Petes president Dave Pogue said he understands the pandemic may affect timelines but it shouldn’t affect planning.
“In today ’s landscape, yes, there are some bigger priorities,” said Pogue, “but, to assume a facility we’re trying to plan for eight to 10 years down the road is not needed because of the pandemic that is going on today, and would cause us to stop planning for that until the pandemic is over, I think is somewhat short-sighted.”
Tim Barrie, who is representing the Lakers lacrosse teams on the steering committee, worries the PMC floor and roof repairs made in 2019 quashed council’s enthusiasm for a new facility.
“I think it took all the urgency away,” said Barrie. “I almost wonder how committed the city was to building a new arena because as soon as the floor got replaced then everything just went quiet.”