Valley East considered for multi-pad sports venue

It's taken a few years, but Valley East is finally getting itsshot at a multi-pad sports venue.

Last night, Sudbury's community services committee asked city staff to create a business case for a double-or-triple-pad complex in the area.This comes after a city report shows Sudbury has a surplus of ice pads, and not enough indoor sports venues.

Cut down arenas, cut costs

The idea is to figure out how much the city would save if itshut down Raymond Plourde Arena in Val Caron and the Centennial Community Arena in Hanmer. Both arenas were built in the 70s and require a combination of nearly $3 million in renovations within the next 10 years, according to the city report.

The end goal is to create a multi-purpose venue that could serve surrounding communities, and show cash efficiency for the city.

If the business case is successful, the committee suggested they use the same formula with other areas to see how they could downsize more venues.

More 'wholesome report' needed?

City council has kept Valley East in mind for a sports venue since 2016budget deliberations, the report states. Coun. Robert Kirwan said he's "tested the waters" with people living in the area, and they're very interested.

"If we look at theefficienciesand thepossibilityof having a twin pad that could serve both wards, and take a look at existing facilities that could bere-purposed, the time is right to move thisforward," Kirwan said.

But not everyone was convinced.

Ward 8 Coun. Al Sizersaidthese things require more study than a one-size fits all solution.

"I'm not sure that template from the Valley East will fit in downtown Sudbury, in Azilda," Sizer said.

"Maybe it will. But I'd just like a more wholesome report."

'Let's do it'

Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac supported the motion, saying it puts the needs of Sudburians first.

"Let's do it," Dutrisac said.

"We haven't decided whatwe're going to do, but at least let'sgeta business plan going to see what's more efficient, what costs less and are we really meeting the needs of ourcommunity."

The committee also gave the go-ahead to staff to start developinga framework to receive and evaluate proposals related to indoor turf, multi-purpose and other recreation facilities. This comes after a private operator proposed a partnership earlier this year.