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June 6 this year marks the eighth anniversary of the Sudbury Arena saga as it was on this date in 2016 that businessman Dario Zulich announced his plan to build an arena on property he had an interest in next to the Sudbury landfill site, five kilometers from the downtown.
This became the basis of what became known as the “KED,” the Kingsway Entertainment District, which would include a city financed arena, a gambling casino, possibly a hotel and other amenities.
There was considerable public opposition to the KED and an almost equal split on the city council. By a slim council majority of one, the project moved ahead until it was revealed that the cost had more than doubled and the KED was “dead”.
However, the dream of a new arena never died, and the present city council this year voted to construct a new facility to replace the current Sudbury Community Arena at a cost of $225 million, with the borrowing of an additional $135 million. This did not include interest costs or likely cost overruns.
The new arena will be on land being made available by displacing several businesses including the popular Golden Grain Bakery, Wacky Wings and other frequented establishments. The area involved will provide for needed parking for the present arena and Sudbury Theater Centre, if left undeveloped.
If the new arena is to be built in this area, where is the parking or will an expensive parking garage be required? And what is the future of the present arena, which many feel could be renovated at far less cost than new as was the case with two northern arenas of the same age as ours in North Bay and Thunder Bay?
This is a story of what could best be described as a "boondoggle" an "activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value".
A more detailed description with photos and illustrations with respect to this “saga” can be found at FriendlySudbury.ca.
John Lindsay
President, CARP Sudbury