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Opinion: Naysayer or Truthsayer?

'I would prefer to be called a truthsayer! By definition “A person who speaks the truth, especially when the truth is contrary to conventional wisdom'
20201215 steve omischl sports complex turl
The Omischl Sports Complex is the planned site for the new twin pad arena. Jeff Turl/BayToday.

Back in September of this year, Coun. Tignanelli encouraged citizens to become more engaged and provide feedback to council. As a North Bay taxpayer, I took that invitation seriously and provided my views on the total cost to the taxpayer for the proposed community centre to be built at Omischl Park. 

See: Tignanelli encourages shift from 'constant negativity' online

Apparently, I am spreading misinformation and I am a naysayer! By definition “one who denies, refuses, opposes, or is skeptical or cynical about something.”

But I would prefer to be called a truthsayer! By definition “A person who speaks the truth, especially when the truth is contrary to conventional wisdom.” And in this particular case, my opinion appears to be contrary to the wisdom of North Bay Council.

The truth is, the capital budget line item for this project is $39.975M. This includes the construction cost estimated to be $35M, architect fees of $1.85M, studies to date, equipment such as a Zamboni, computers, etc. So for the sake of a few more dollars let's round out this number to an even $40M.

The truth is, a further capital cost of $2.15M is in the budget to upgrade the intersection of Booth Rd and Lakeshore Drive to accommodate the anticipated increase traffic flow entering and exiting the potential arena site.  If the arena is not built then there is no need to upgrade that particular intersection.  And it is a fact that this intersection was only identified for upgrades once the Omischl site was selected, as the project had never appeared in the long-term capital budget before.

The truth is, borrowing $31.68M to finance the construction of the facility will cost taxpayers another $8M.  And I do agree that the additional $8M in interest payments is not part of the capital cost, but together they add to $50M.

And guess who pays the principal and interest payments of $2M per year for the next 20 years?

Gary Gardiner

Nipissing Township