West End library, indoor turf facility to be ready in 2011

Sault Ste. Marie's West End Community Centre will be a reality in 2011 says EPOH Principal Architect Franco Pastore.

Well, at least in part.

City Council gave the green light last night to proceeding with Phases 1 and 2 of the project: an indoor turf facility and a new Korah Branch of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library.

Replacement of the McMeeken Centre won't be part of the plan for five years.

Or, until more funding can be found for it, councillors agreed.

The council chambers were packed to capacity with supporters of the project, many of them wearing red Sault Amateur Soccer Association jackets and shirts.

"This will be the premier facility in Northern Ontario," said Ward 6 Councillor Ozzie Grandinetti, chair of the West End Community Centre Steering Committee.

All three phases will cost about $23 million, Architect Pastore advised, but Phases 1 and 2 carry a price tag of up to $10.7 million.

Council members expressed concern about how the facility will be paid for and about the possibility that the City's credit rating may be negatively affected if it borrows money to build the new community centre.

Ward 3 Councillor Bryan Hayes suggested that the City Council of 2014 pay down the City debt with charity casino revenues amd money currently being used to pay for the municipality's share of the new Sault Area Hospital.

With the West End Community Centre project and others, the municipal debt is expected to rise from its current level of $20.4 million to nearly $28 million in a little over a year, said City Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer Bill Freiburger.

Council passed a motion aimed at reducing the City's debt from infrastructure projects as soon as possible.

Freiburger said the City will not need to raise taxes to pay for the loan for the West End Community Centre as the funds are already allocated for it in the budget.

Chief Administrative Officer Joe Fratesi said replacing both the library and the aging McMeeken Centre have been on the City's priority list for some time, but staff believe the McMeeken Centre can hold on for another five years.

Its replacement and incorporation into the West End Community Centre will become part of the facility's Phase 3, planned for five years down the road or whenever funding becomes available for it.

The third phase of the project could also include expansion of the indoor turf facilities, addition of more locker and spectator space and a second-floor walking track around the inside perimeter of the indoor turf facility.

Ward 2 Councillor Terry Sheehan said he thought the facility would be more useful from a tourism and special event perspective if there were more spectator seats available in it from the outset.

"You'll be limited to the space that exists around the field to the exterior, about 10 feet for the short term, and bleachers that fit in that space can be purchased. This situation is not uncommon in facilities such as this," Pastore said. "It's not ideal but given the circumstances it's the best you can do in Phase 1."

Pastore estimated the area around the turf field could seat roughly 300 people on bleachers.

By incorporating the new library in the centre rather than building a stand-alone facility. the City saves a little over $3 million, said Nick Apostle, commissioner of community services.

Sault Mayor John Rowswell believes the project is a "no-brainer."

The mayor said the community deserves to reward itself for working hard to bring a one percent expansion in its levy from new growth.

Fratesi agreed that City Council would be wise not to allow its debt to increase any more than $28 million.

"The West End Community Centre is this council's highest priority," Fratesi said. "[Phase I and II of the facility would] ensure a very good start on a worthwhile project."

It would also bring more sporting events to the City and is well supported by user groups in the community, the CAO said.

Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story

Council gives green light to West End community centre