Photo: Michael Lea
Downes would move arena
Ian Elliot
Local news - Tuesday, October 24, 2006 @ 07:00
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Photo: Michael Lea
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Rick Downes says if he is elected mayor, he won't kill the $41-million
downtown arena but will try to have it moved to the grounds of the Memorial
Centre.
During an hour-long meeting with members of the Whig-Standard's editorial and
community board yesterday, Downes said killing the mega-project would be
"irresponsible" due to the cost of breaking contracts and possible litigation.
But he said he would be open to negotiations with the builders, the Kingston
Frontenacs and other parties to move the building. He argued that the Memorial
Centre site should be considered part of Kingston's core.
"I think the Memorial Centre property is downtown, and having it there would
enhance upper Princess Street from Division Street to the traffic circle,"
Downes said.
He argued that many of the economic benefits of having the arena on the North
Block, where it is currently slated to go, could still be realized by placing it
where the Memorial Centre now sits, and it would act as a catalyst to that part
of the city.
Downes said that after knocking on thousands of doors during the campaign, he
sensed a palpable displeasure among citizens over the arena and the problems
presented by its downtown location.
"The [arena] is divisive and if they had listened to the people and moved it to
the Memorial Centre 18 months ago, it would have brought the community together
because that's what people are saying," Downes said, adding that he and many
other citizens believe that Mayor Harvey Rosen had promised to replace the
Memorial Centre on its current site during the last campaign.
"I voted for Harvey Rosen last election," Downes said.
"How come? Because I thought he'd do something about the Memorial Centre on the
Memorial Centre grounds, and so did a lot of other people."
And Downes, who unsuccessfully proposed a referendum on the project be held at
the time of the Nov. 13 election, estimated that a ballot question would have
defeated the arena project at its current location by an 80 per cent vote.
Downes also sketched out a campaign theme of more open and accountable
government at City Hall, a bridge across the Cataraqui - the so-called "third
crossing - and more spending on basic infrastructure such as roads and
sidewalks.
The large projects to which the city is already committed - including
refurbishing and renaming Market Square, the west-end multiplex and restoring
the Grand Theatre - would be a challenge for the next council, he said. Downes
estimated it would be two years before the incoming council had spending on
those under enough control that it could commit to other projects.
"These projects are going to cost Kingston taxpayers a bundle, but if I am
elected mayor, I am going to have to deal with these projects," he said.
He suggested the city could put money into smaller, neighbourhood sports
facilities right away, and is proposing one per cent of the roads budget be
squirrelled away for bike paths.
He also criticized the current council for what he called "a pattern of
secretive behaviour" on issues such as the renaming of Market Square and a
general lack of consultation, saying that as mayor, he would give citizens a
greater say in how city business is conducted. "I believe Market Square was a
betrayal of the public trust," he said.
Downes also said he would revamp the Kingston Economic Development Agency to
shift its focus away from attracting large commercial interests from out of town
and direct it more toward providing support to small and growing businesses
within the city.
ielliot@thewhig.com