North Bay City Councillor Mark King, who chairs the new arena committee, is looking forward to hearing city staff recommendations based on the bids it has received to replace the West Ferris Arena.
A number of suggestions have been put forward by interested groups including putting a new twin-pad facility at the North Bay Mall, using property at the Omischl Sports Field Complex and along Pinewood Park Drive.
See:LOCAL NEWS City staff report on replacing aging West Ferris arena expected in 4-6 weeks
“We’ll see that actually come up at the next council meeting. There will be recommendations coming forward from staff with respect to the RFI (Request for Interest) that was put out. That will answer some of the questions,” said King.
“I’m hearing there could be upwards to seven individuals that have put in a request for interest toward the proposal. My understanding is the procurement people would evaluate those interests and basically trim them down.”
At that point they will bring their recommendations to council.
“Council will then decide what to do with it. One, it could go back to community services for further committee meetings, or it could go to the arena committee for further discussion. I suspect council will probably recommend it back to the arena committee, and I think that’s the right way to go. We’ll see what it looks like.”
King was hesitant to put a time-line on when the project will move forward.