Nanaimo blocks no-side information tables at arena open houses

Opponents of the proposed $80-million Nanaimo events centre are being barred from setting up information tables at upcoming open houses.

A motion from Coun. Diane Brennan to permit the tables at six upcoming municipal open houses was defeated at this week’s council meeting. She argued in favour of permitting a table, at no cost to the city, in the interests of fairness, openness and transparency.

The group NoVote2017 slammed council’s decision. “This is a clear violation of the rights of Nanaimo residents to be provided the facts surrounding what is potentially the most expensive project in the history of the city,” it said in a statement.

Don Bonner, a member of NoVote2017, said: “We feel that we would have contributed to the overall discussion and presentation at the events. We bring some of the questions people may or may not know exist and bring light to some of the information that we think is missing.”

Group members will attend open houses and will have material to distribute to citizens, Bonner said. They will likely be outside the open house, he said.

Critics and supporters of the proposed centre have sprung up now that the countdown is on for a borrowing referendum, expected to be held March 11.

Nanaimo hopes to lure a Western Hockey League team to the city to play in the proposed centre. If approved by voters, it would be built on city-owned waterfront land at 1 Port Dr.

Plans call for up to 5,700 seats for hockey and other sporting events. Seating for concerts and shows could rise to 7,100 to 8,300. It would include retail and multipurpose space.

Some council members worried that citizens might feel intimidated by project opponents if a table was set up at an open house. Coun. Bill Yoachim, who voted against the motion, said at the council meeting an open house is place to provide information. “It is not a place for debate.”

Mayor Bill McKay supported the motion, saying there could be yes and no representatives, along with the city’s story boards.

Meanwhile, B.C.’s Office of the Inspector of Municipalities has approved Nanaimo’s loan authorization bylaw, the city said in a statement. This step is required to hold its borrowing referendum.