A special committee meeting focusing on the ongoing twin-pad arena and community centre proposal has resulted in North Bay City Council members unanimously recommending the creation of another committee to decide the matter.
See related: Arena project is topic of tonight's special committee meeting
Councillor Lana Mitchell, the chair of the infrastructure and operations committee, announced following two hours of discussion and a short intermission on Tuesday evening that an ad hoc committee would be established "to review and make recommendations regarding a community and recreation centre that council feels will be affordable for the community."
See also: Council puts arena decision temporarily on ice
In the end, the committee created a fourth option beyond the three presented in the report from CAO John Severino. The ad hoc committee's mandate and make-up will be determined during a special council meeting to be held Friday at noon.
"The ad hoc committee will provide a report back to council — with a recommendation — within no more than 30 days," Mitchell added.
The recommendation passed unanimously. Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield is on leave and was not present at the meeting.
The company that won the tender has agreed to the 30-day grace period so a decision can be made.
Mayor Peter Chirico thanked staff for their contributions to the discussion and ended the evening with, "We look forward to our meeting on Friday to establish the committee and to moving forward with something that is affordable for our community."
BayToday will update with more coverage from the special committee meeting.
