Editor's note: the following article was first published in the Nov. 24, 2012 print edition of The Compass
Carbonear-Harbour Grace MHA Jerome Kennedy has chastised Harbour Grace Mayor Don Coombs for his overly optimistic timelines for the start of a proposed new arena in the town.
And Kennedy is also calling on council to move past what he calls "internal disagreements" over the viability of the project, saying the town's leaders have to decide once and for all whether they support the project.
He further suggested that provincial support for the project — up to $16 million from the provincial treasury — was likely a one-time opportunity.
The MHA weighed in on the stadium debate after hearing Coombs speak about the project during a year-end interview with VOCM News on Dec. 30.
The mayor suggested he anticipated seeing the project getting started in March or April.
Kennedy responded with a strongly worded email to Coombs and other members of council, saying Coombs' comments were "inaccurate" and that he was creating an "unreasonable expectation in the minds of the people of the area."
As the area's MHA, Kennedy said this caused him "grave concern."
Financial assessment required
Kennedy said plenty of work still needs to be done before any sods are turned, including a financial assessment of the town to ensure it can cover its 20 per cent share. This will also include a review of the way the current facility — S. W. Moores Memorial Stadium — is operated "to ensure that proper management and financial controls are in place."
He said these measures are especially critical given the fact that two members of council — David Murphy and Wendell Hunt — voted against the project and have expressed serious concerns about the town's ability to pay. Murphy has also suggested the current facility is sufficient.
The MHA's email was included in a package of documents the town provided to The Compass during a Jan. 16 public council meeting. The document was not tabled at the public meeting, but was discussed in a privileged meeting following the regular session
Kennedy reminded council of the steps that have to be taken "before we get to the site selection stage." First, he explained, the town has to issue an RFP (request for proposals) for its consulting team.
Kennedy said he understood this direction had come from Municipal Affairs, and had not yet been complied with.
However, Coombs said last week that directive has since been carried out.
Kennedy went on to say only after the first two steps have been finalized that site selection can occur and "site selection will obviously depend, to a great extent, on the consulting team's recommendation."
Only then will the pre-tender and tender phase begin, and this is not possible within the timeframe outlined by the mayor, said the MHA.
Kennedy asked the mayor to, "in future ... ensure that your information is accurate before making public comments."
Committed to project
In a telephone interview with The Compass last week, Kennedy said he remains committed to the project, but stressed the importance of following the established process.
He said a financial analysis of a municipality is standard protocol in any cost-shared infrastructure project, pointing out that an analysis was also carried out during the multi-phase Harvey Street project in Harbour Grace.
He added that the concerns of town leaders opposed to the project must be addressed before the province commits any taxpayers' money.
"What we have here is a situation where the town has to make their decision. Does Harbour Grace want this stadium? Once they make that decision, they then have to engage a consultant to look at the process, including site selection.
"I've indicated to the town it's time to make a decision," said Kennedy.
Council voted 5-2 in late October to proceed with the project, but Kennedy said he is concerned about the level of opposition and doubt.
He said the current facility is nearing the end of its lifespan, and this opportunity may never come around again.
"I won't be around forever," Kennedy said, "The money is there now and can be availed of. (But) if the town doesn't avail of this opportunity, I can't guarantee ... that it will ever arise again."
As for doubts about the town's ability to pay its share, Kennedy added: "From everything I've been told, they can."
Didn't mean to mislead
Meanwhile, Coombs told The Compass last week "it was not my wish to mislead anyone" during the radio interview.
"All I said was, what I've been saying from Day 1 - I'd like to see a start by March or April; and I still would like to see a start by then. That was my wish. But if that can't be done, so be it.
"We've looked at a site. The engineers have seen the site. But if government requires us to take these steps, fine, we'll have to do it."
As for council opposition to the project, Coombs added, "every councillor has the right to voice their opinions and vote accordingly."
Coun. Murphy has described the current stadium as comparable to other facilities in the area, and is worried about what adding several million dollars in debt to a town with a budget of $2.5 million will mean for taxpayers.
Since his opposition to the project became known in November, Murphy said he's spoken with many citizens who fear their taxes will have to increase. Harbour Grace taxpayers are already charged 10.5 mills of the assessed value of their property, which is among the highest in the region.
The town has also endured a major downsizing of its business base in recent years, and its population is shrinking.
Murphy suggested the town should poll its citizens to get a more accurate picture of where the majority stand on the stadium issue.
Hunt seeking answers
As for Coun. Hunt, he also has some deep concerns about whether or not his town can afford to finance its share of the project, which could be as high as $4 million.
Hunt maintains he has had questions on this project from the get-go, and is still looking for answers.
For example, with the future of senior hockey appearing to be on thin ice, Hunt worries, "if this new stadium were to fail, who would be left holding the bag? The taxpayers of Harbour Grace?"
He would like to see it become more of a regional facility, with all citizens of the region sharing, not only its use, but the financial burden of maintaining it.
"I don't want my grandchildren paying for mistakes a council made in 2011," Hunt said.
To help clear the air, Hunt made a motion at last week's council meeting to invite Kennedy in for a meeting with council to discuss the arena and other issues.
Meanwhile, Kennedy remains confident any concerns can be worked out.
"I hope the Town of Harbour Grace can work out whatever issues they have and the support will be there for the new facility."
bbowman@cbncompass.ca editor@cbncompass.ca
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