nivek_wahs
04-03-2007, 04:02 AM
http://www.medicinehatnews.com/article_5222.php
Arena location debate continues
By SEAN ROONEY
Apr 3, 2007, 01:27
After three more months of research and consultation it appears city council has pretty much the same set of options for a new arena as it did in January.
That’s despite a push from owners of the Box Springs Business Park to get their location considered and resounding public feedback against the proposed Maple Avenue location.
“Absolutely disappointed,” said BSBP owner John Hashem when told the New Arena Steering Committee recommended a Southlands location, while city administration agreed with GEC Architecture that the Flats, followed by the Family Leisure Centre were the best choices. “Especially on the basis we’ve got a hotel to come on side, we thought that would be a real positive thing. Also for the purpose of more development. We’ve always been arguing against the Flats site. As far as Southlands that’s a well-developed area, however there isn’t much room for more development up there, it’s almost gone.”
There was already plenty of opinion about the recommendations Monday. Like the options presented, much of it was formed months ago after GEC’s initial presentation to council.
“I absolutely still think the downtown location is a bad choice,” said Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce chair Jason Mutschler. “The residents of Medicine Hat have overwhelmingly said that they don’t want it downtown, and I think clearly the two choices and my opinion are still Leisure Centre or Box Springs.”
GEC reported that 81 per cent of 827 questionnaire respondents in its community consultation process agreed with Mutschler that a location in the Flats is not preferable.
“It was felt that there would be increased traffic congestion, insufficient parking and that a project of this nature would not likely provide any meaningful revitalization of the downtown area,” said the study.
Not everyone is against the recommendations. Jamie White, a local business owner who was also part of the New Arena Steering Committee, supports the downtown location even though the committee as a whole concluded otherwise.
“Economic development plays a huge part in it,” said White. “There is no spinoff for economic development when you’re putting these arenas on the cheapest land on the outskirts of town.”
White also pointed out that parking likely wouldn’t be free if the city had to build the estimated 2,100 spots required at either the Box Springs or Family Leisure Centre locations.
“You start parking in a 15-acre parking lot that cost $15 million to build, there’s going to have to be some return.”
Medicine Hat Tigers owners Brent and Darrell Maser — who are also on the New Arena Steering Committee — didn’t attend last Tuesday’s final committee meeting but are alleged in the administrative review to be in support of a downtown arena as well. They have yet to comment publicly on the process which would see their team move out of the 36-year-old, 4,006-seat Arena.
Perhaps the only development that received much support Monday was Ald. Graham Kelly’s announcement that public hearings will be held on the issue. No date or time is set for the meetings, but it was music to the ears of Frank Devine, who’s been actively petitioning for hearings.
“I think that’s great that Graham Kelly has offered to do that,” said Devine.
Still, he was disappointed in the lack of any clear direction as to what the city will do next.
“It’s quite apparent to me that some of these (aldermen) are now trying to buy votes,” said Devine. “They’re very wishy-washy.”
© Copyright by Medicine Hat News.com
Arena location debate continues
By SEAN ROONEY
Apr 3, 2007, 01:27
After three more months of research and consultation it appears city council has pretty much the same set of options for a new arena as it did in January.
That’s despite a push from owners of the Box Springs Business Park to get their location considered and resounding public feedback against the proposed Maple Avenue location.
“Absolutely disappointed,” said BSBP owner John Hashem when told the New Arena Steering Committee recommended a Southlands location, while city administration agreed with GEC Architecture that the Flats, followed by the Family Leisure Centre were the best choices. “Especially on the basis we’ve got a hotel to come on side, we thought that would be a real positive thing. Also for the purpose of more development. We’ve always been arguing against the Flats site. As far as Southlands that’s a well-developed area, however there isn’t much room for more development up there, it’s almost gone.”
There was already plenty of opinion about the recommendations Monday. Like the options presented, much of it was formed months ago after GEC’s initial presentation to council.
“I absolutely still think the downtown location is a bad choice,” said Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce chair Jason Mutschler. “The residents of Medicine Hat have overwhelmingly said that they don’t want it downtown, and I think clearly the two choices and my opinion are still Leisure Centre or Box Springs.”
GEC reported that 81 per cent of 827 questionnaire respondents in its community consultation process agreed with Mutschler that a location in the Flats is not preferable.
“It was felt that there would be increased traffic congestion, insufficient parking and that a project of this nature would not likely provide any meaningful revitalization of the downtown area,” said the study.
Not everyone is against the recommendations. Jamie White, a local business owner who was also part of the New Arena Steering Committee, supports the downtown location even though the committee as a whole concluded otherwise.
“Economic development plays a huge part in it,” said White. “There is no spinoff for economic development when you’re putting these arenas on the cheapest land on the outskirts of town.”
White also pointed out that parking likely wouldn’t be free if the city had to build the estimated 2,100 spots required at either the Box Springs or Family Leisure Centre locations.
“You start parking in a 15-acre parking lot that cost $15 million to build, there’s going to have to be some return.”
Medicine Hat Tigers owners Brent and Darrell Maser — who are also on the New Arena Steering Committee — didn’t attend last Tuesday’s final committee meeting but are alleged in the administrative review to be in support of a downtown arena as well. They have yet to comment publicly on the process which would see their team move out of the 36-year-old, 4,006-seat Arena.
Perhaps the only development that received much support Monday was Ald. Graham Kelly’s announcement that public hearings will be held on the issue. No date or time is set for the meetings, but it was music to the ears of Frank Devine, who’s been actively petitioning for hearings.
“I think that’s great that Graham Kelly has offered to do that,” said Devine.
Still, he was disappointed in the lack of any clear direction as to what the city will do next.
“It’s quite apparent to me that some of these (aldermen) are now trying to buy votes,” said Devine. “They’re very wishy-washy.”
© Copyright by Medicine Hat News.com