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1 Port Drive chosen as location for proposed Events Centre

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed January 24, 2017 12:30 PM

Summary

At its January 23, 2017 meeting, Council announced the 1 Port Drive site as the preferred location of the proposed events centre.

Of the two potential site locations - Howard Johnson and 1 Port Drive - cost estimates for acquiring land and undertaking construction were higher for the Howard Johnson site than the 1 Port Drive site. These costs included land purchase, building demolition, site contamination and access. In addition to its lower cost, the 1 Port Drive site also supported a better analysis of geotechnical issues and transportation requirements.

To read the detailed reports on the 1 Port Drive location, click on the links provided in the online version of this news release.

Link to Strategic Plan: An Events Centre supports the Recreation, Culture, Sports and Tourism priority by providing the necessary resources and space to facilitate the development of recreation, sport and culture in Nanaimo.

Key Points

  • Council determined 1 Port Drive offered the greatest certainty to base financial decisions surrounding the cost to design, construct and operate an events centre.
  • Council committed to exploring the possibility of building an events centre when it identified it as one of its strategic capital projects in 2016. Since then a number of steps have been taken to explore the feasibility of this project including, detailed site studies, a feasibility report, business case analysis and consultation with the public.
  • Information about the chosen site will be available at six upcoming open houses events starting Thursday, February 9. To learn more, please visit the Public Engagement page (https://www.nanaimo.ca/get-involved/community-engagement) on the City's website for all dates and locations.

Quotes

Bill McKay

"The idea of building an events centre in Nanaimo is not new. For many years the topic has been discussed and various locations proposed. After reviewing the reports and information concerning each site, Council determined the 1 Port Drive location was the best fit in terms of cost, knowledge and access."

Bill McKay
Mayor
City of Nanaimo

"Meetings with the Snuneymuxw First Nation concerning the 1 Port Drive site have been ongoing for several months. The City will continue to reach out. The significance of this site to the Snuneymuxw First Nation is recognized, along with the significance of several others."

Tracy Samra
CAO
City of Nanaimo
-30-

Contact:

Philip Cooper
Communication and Engagement Director
City of Nanaimo
250 755 4532

Print News Release

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