Thorold green-lights 2021 Games spending
City will contribute $7 million if operating agreement for facility approved
You can add Thorold to the list of partners for the construction of Canada Games Park.
Thorold city council Tuesday night committed $5 million to the facility at Brock University and another $2 million for infrastructure servicing of the property.
The funding is contingent on upper tiers of government fulfilling their commitments ato the 2021 Canada Summer Games and Thorold council approving an operating model and partnership agreement to be negotiated.
Mayor Terry Ugulini said his burgeoning city needs these facilities.
James Whyte Arena is on its last legs and requires about $6.1 million in renovations, which would still leave the city operating an aging facility.
The other alternative, building a new arena, would cost taxpayers about $15 million.
“Our forefathers took the step to build the Doherty Arena and it was the premier facility in Niagara at that time,” Ugulini said. “Since then we have done nothing, other than spend $3 million to renovate it.
“We used to have the best ball diamonds in Niagara, second to none. We have let things deteriorate.
“We have a chance to turn the corner and move Thorold into the next generation where it belongs. You have seen what Port Colborne has done, you have seen what Pelham has done, you have seen what Fort Erie has done. We owe it to our community to step up to the plate.”
St. Catharines is contributing $10 million to the Summer Games project bill of about $98 million.
Brock University is adding $4 million of in-kind contributions plus the land for the Games park, which is worth about $6 million. Brock will lease the property to the operators for a long-term nominal amount.
Coun. Jim Handley said the Brock student union should be contributing to the project because the school “has more students than Thorold’s population, and they will be getting much more use out of it.”
“I agree to the project in principle, it’s a great project, but the funding model sucks,” he said.
He also said St. Catharines jumped on the idea because Thorold is stuck paying a large portion of the bill based on population.
“I need to be responsible to the taxpayers I represent,” he said. “Not Brock University students. Not the City of St. Catharines. I need to be responsible to the citizens of Thorold.”
Geoff Holman, Thorold’s director of public works and community projects, said development charges will offset $2 million of Thorold’s contribution.
“The funding formula could use some work, but in respect to opportunity cost, this is the best investment to get us through the next five years,” he said.
Doug Hamilton, chair of 2021 Games host society, said facilities built for the Games will provide a lasting community legacy.
“The park will be a multi-generational facility with something for everyone.”
The park, which will be built on
Merrittville Highway across from Niagara Region headquarters, will feature a large quad gym, two ice pads, a track and field facility, beach volleyball courts, a cycling pavilion and parking.
One of the ice pads will seat 1,200 spectators, the other 200.
The gym will have an upper-level, 200-metre track for walking and running in winter.
Once the Games are over, a consortium of Brock, St. Catharines and Thorold will operate the facility, Hamilton said.