Municipal polls, important issues

There has been considerable discussion in the coffee shops and on the street and at the current council table for a “Downtown Arena Entertainment Centre.”

Saskatoon has three of the most envious venues right now: Sasktel Centre, TCU Place, and Prairieland Park. Many municipalities in Saskatchewan and even Canada would be happy to have such in their communities. These facilities can handle any size sporting event, entertainment show or trade show convention adequately for many years.

What the business district and current council are proposing may be several years away, but is also in the scope of a million-population city — Saskatoon will not be that for a very long time.

Saskatoon’s taxpayer base is not sustainable or acceptable to address a debt load of this size.

The issue of downtown traffic flow is also not conducive to such an expansive downtown development. Council is talking (about) a BRT, Bus Rapid Transit, that will get people in and out of the downtown area; with current traffic flow pattern this would be very stressful. And, more importantly, a debt load of that size should go direct to remediate the municipal infrastructure issues.

Where the city “shines” is with its parks — I have always said the best thing the city has got right are the parks with the MVA collaborations. City administration and council also got it right with the new North Commuter Bridge and the Victoria Bridge. With the proposal for downtown, don’t get this one wrong: It is not needed at this time.

Candidates for mayor and council, you better think this one out carefully.

Doug Wilson, Saskatoon