The future of Sudbury's downtown arena is uncertain.
But one thing is certain: people want the building to stick around.
The Sudbury Arts Council organized a Jan. 18 public input session to collect ideas and opinions about the space to present to the city when they start formally looking at options for the building.
“We can't wait for council to act, we have to be proactive,” said facilitator Gerry Labelle. “We want to keep this building.”
Built in 1951, the arena has a special place in many locals' hearts and is considered a landmark in the downtown core. The home of the Sudbury Wolves, the city's Ontario Hockey League team, the 5,100-seat facility sits across from the city’s rail yards and features a statue of Stompin' Tom Connors outside, a tribute to his song “Sudbury Saturday Night.”
Local nostalgia manifested with some attendees arguing that the arena should stay as it is, arguing that Sudbury's population has not grown since 1967.
Some want the building upgraded and improved with more seating, rather than building from scratch.
The team’s new owner, Dario Zulich, wants to build a new arena outside of the city's downtown core and move the team there.
His proposal is still under consideration by the City of Greater Sudbury.
The city has hired a consultant to establish the criteria for a request for proposals (RFP) process that the city would like to see in a new arena/event centre.
The report, which developers will use as the basis to pitch their plans, is expected to be finished by the end of February, enabling the RFP process to begin soon afterwards.
Zulich said he expects to know whether they have the go-ahead for an arena by the end of May.
Attendees said they would like evidence that a new facility is needed before it's moved elsewhere.
While Labelle is “not convinced” change is needed, he said that if it's necessary, he hopes they keep the arena either way.
“It's about adapting it to the people who are in the city.”
Some suggestions involved adapting it as a conference centre, something that has been listed as a priority in the 2012 Downtown Master Plan and Action Strategy.
Another popular idea voiced by several attendees was for a modular, multi-use space that could encompass a combination of restaurant, retail and rental spaces and offices.
The desire to include principles of “green” design or uses was often voiced through energy efficient construction or renovation, as well as ideas for green uses like an indoor greenhouse or farmers’ market space.
Presenter Mike Ladyk, a local architect with Castellan James + Partners, hopes this sets the stage for an open process. “There are a lot of fragmented groups out there.”
