Cambridge council votes to pursue multi-site multiplex

Cambridge city council has decidedafter almost a year and a half of protests and petitions, to split its proposed multiplex sports complex into two.

The split would see the ice pads and fitness facilities at one location, with an aquatics centre in another.

• CBC KW's coverage of the Cambridge multiplex
• Council looking at Cambridge Centre Mall as possible site for multiplex

The motion passed unanimously at a special council meeting Monday night.

Part of the multiplex will likely go at the Cambridge Centre Mall, which Mayor Doug Craig called "one of the better options."

"Throughout the community since this has been announced, we've had nothing but positive comments with regards to this as a location," he told The Morning Edition host Craig Norris Tuesday morning.

Mall answers 'a number of needs'

The Cambridge Centre Mall emerged as a possible location after the Chamber of Commerce mentioned more than a year ago the future of Sears was uncertain.

• Taskforce recommends top five spots for Cambridge multiplex

Then in June,Sears announced its plans to close its location at the shopping centre.

It quickly moved to the top of Mayor Doug Craig's list, he told CBC News, due to its central location, bus terminal access and possible spin-off business for the businesses in and around the mall. As well, there's already an ice pad in the mall and the city's sports hall of fame is also there.

"We had discussions off and on over a year and when the Sears store in fact did close and it was announced, they then come forward formally with a letter of interest and we felt in many respects that this would answer a number of our needs," he said.

Listen to the whole interview with Mayor Doug Craig:

Will save money

According to the City of Cambridge, the city's taskforce hadrecommended the multiplex include:

• A 25-metre competition pool.
• A warm water therapy pool.
• A leisure/learning pool.
• A triple gymnasium.
• A walking/running track.
• Four NHL sized ice pads, one with spectator capacity of 1,000 people (the task force acknowledged that budget limitations would require that only two pads would be built at the time of construction but that four pads would be included in the design for future expansion).
• Program rooms/meeting space.
• Capacity to accommodate hall of fame displays.
• Fitness/conditioning room.

Craig said he thinks splitting the sports facilities will help them save money because they may be able to utilize part of the former Sears store and they won't need to build parking at the mall.

He said even though the multiplex is a year and a half behind schedule, "the point is, get it right."

"You can build something in a hurry and get it wrong and then of course you live with the results for years," he said, adding council really wanted to listento what the community wanted.

"We did that. We did it very carefully."

Reviewing more locations

Bill Kirby, who sat on the multiplex task force, was initiallyan outspoken opponent of the multiplex site when it was going to go on lands owned by Conestoga Collegeissued a statement after council's decision, calling it "commendable."

"You have taken a step toward recognizing the real needs of our community. Although it has taken some time to get here we willbe better for it," Kirby wrote.

"I encourage you to develop a solid process associated with this undertaking, further that it beclear, understandable and open to the public so that the experiences of the last two years not be repeated. Engage the communityand have them be part of the solution will ensure the needed buy-in for such a large undertaking."

That is the plan, Craig said.

Between now and December, the city is accepting more letters of interest for sites for the aquatic centre. Staff will look at all the letters of interest and come back to council before the end of the year with a final recommendation.

• Cambridge councillor wants multiplex anywhere but Conestoga College

"What we want to hear from, is there anybody else that has a particular site of interest that may help support the needs of the community," Craig said.

"In December, we will now start moving towards the actual building of the complex."