Let's Build It: the Final Push Continues
Published on November 30, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Niagara IceDogs News Release
As you all know on Monday, St. Catharines city council will be voting on whether to move forward with the construction of a new entertainment and sports spectator facility to replace the 73-year-old Jack Gatecliff Arena.
In preparation for this vote, St. Catharines city staff released a report earlier this week that stated Jack Gatecliff and Rex Stimers arenas need at minimum $11.6 million in upgrades, on top of the $1.6 million required annually to keep the Garden City Complex (GCC) open and operating. The report further recommended a $63-million project that includes a 5,000-seat spectator facility and a 700-seat arena to replace the GCC, but also offered a $52.5-million option to just build the 5,000-seat complex, with the GCC being demolished.
This latter option is projected to have a 2.22% impact on property taxes, or roughly $25 per average household. It is an investment in our community that is well worth it considering the implications if we don't replace the GCC with a new spectator facility:
- Taxpayers will continue to foot the bill for the $1 million operating loss the GCC incurs in addition to expensive upkeep and repairs;
- The GCC will require multi-millions of dollars in upgrades just to remain safe and operational;
- The economic spinoffs that would have been created downtown if a new sports and entertainment centre was built will not be realized; and
- The Niagara IceDogs will be forced to leave the region and the spinoffs that they create will be lost.
St. Catharines cannot afford to lose this opportunity. Please contact the mayor and councillors and let them know that you support the building of a new sports and entertainment centre.
1. Send an e-mail to the mayor and all 12 councillors at mayorcouncil@stcatharines.ca
2. Send an e-mail to the mayor and councillors using individual addresses:
- Mayor Brian Mcmullan - bmcmullan@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Jeff Burch - jburch@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Jennifer Stevens - jstevens@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Matthew Harris - mharris@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Joe Kushner - jkushner@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Peter Secord - psecord@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Greg Washuta - gwashuta@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Mathew Siscoe - msiscoe@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Mark Elliott - melliott@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Dawn Dodge - ddodge@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Bill Phillips - bphillips@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Bruce Williamson - bwilliamson@stcatharines.ca
- Councillor Len Stack - lstack@stcatharines.ca
3. Visit www.gardencitycomplex.com to get more information or click on the "Get Involved" link to contact your mayor and city councillors with a pre-formed letter and for advice on sending letters to the editor.
Thank you for your support and Let's Build It!
Bill Burke
Owner
Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club
Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 30, 2011
- Petes Fans Encouraged to Arrive Early Saturday Night - Peterborough Petes
- CHL Announces BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 Rankings - OHL
- Let's Build It: the Final Push Continues - Niagara IceDogs
- Oshawa Generals Announce JT's Junior Generals Program - Oshawa Generals
- Storm City Weekly - Guelph Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
