News Municipal Sports turf
Another snag reached in proposal for indoor sports facility slated for Thunder Bay

A long-awaited indoor sports facility proposed for Thunder Bay, Ont. has hit another snag.

Council met Monday to discuss a financing strategy to cover the cost of an estimated $44.5-million facility that has been nine years in the making.

Coun. Mark Bentz suggested a referral of the motion, wishing to reduce the price to $30 million. His motion was initially rejected in a vote of council but was supported shortly afterwards during a re-vote when council was told that without an alternate solution, the project would be rendered dead.

Staff has been instructed to consult with stakeholders to devise options that are in line with the $30-million proposal.

Mike Veneziale, president of Soccer Northwest Ontario, which first pitched the idea of an indoor facility, questioned why more consulting is needed. He wondered why the building the city proposed was estimated at $44 million while a facility proposed by the soccer group was about half the cost.

Council has voted on the project 27 times over the years