Arena Input Sought By C-K Staff
Chatham-Kent staff will be looking for direction from council regarding the interest and ability of the community to build a new OHL sized arena.
That way, the next time the league comes to town, Chatham-Kent will be prepared to give answers to potential investors.
Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire made a presentation at Monday’s Council meeting explaining the process Chatham-Kent went through in relation to attempting to lure the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers, who eventually chose Flint, Michigan as their new home.
With budget deliberations starting in Chatham-Kent soon, Shropshire stated discussion, and direction on a potential new arena, would come after budget talks were completed when Chatham-Kent’s financials were established.
With an estimated price tag of more than $30 million to construct an arena, Shropshire said Chatham-Kent’s council and administration needs to fully understand the tax impact, operation costs, and potential funding sources for a project of this magnitude.
In April 2013, Chatham-Kent staff were also directed to develop a plan for an arena and the cost implications of such a project, however that report was never completed.