Arena issues are a sign of council’s backwards thinking

Re: Peterborough mayor having second thoughts on replacing Memorial Centre, Oct. 23

I cannot believe that our mayor is having second thoughts about the construction of a major sports and entertainment centre.

This short-sightedness is not surprising and so discouraging.

City hall spends more energy in telling the taxpayer what is not good for Peterborough than how to be progressive.

Take the twin pad construction as an example: First, city hall wants to build it on Trent University property in the extreme area of the north end where there are no motels or restaurants for tournaments and a half-hour drive through the city. Then they get permission from the Morrow family to build it in the heart of the city where all the amenities are easily accessible, great location. But no, they want to build it on the Fleming College property in one of the densest traffic areas of the city.

I am at a complete loss as to what goes on in the thinking process at city hall. Our local MPP advised city hall to apply for $50 million for construction to secure the monies, but oh no, they applied for more than $70 million and the request was denied. Is this the management we want? I do not think so.

Now all we read about are the thousands of homes to be built in Peterborough, as it is designated by the Ontario government as a growth area. This should send up a gigantic red flag that we need a sports and entertainment facility for this influx of residents. One just needs to travel to the east side of Oshawa to see all the new facilities for sports and entertainment.

What’s happening in Peterborough is not with the times or anywhere close to it. “Blame COVID-19,” Therrien states, which is the most ludicrous statement I could ever imagine our mayor making.

What happened to the millions we received from selling the PUC to Ontario Hydro?

It’s high time for city hall to enter the 21st century with some forward thinking.

Ron Gibbons, Lakefield