Cambridge cancels plans to locate multiplex at Cambridge Centre

Cambridge's sports multiplex will no longer be located at the Cambridge Centre Mall on Hespeler Road, as council passed a motion Tuesday to cancel those plans.

In a Facebook post, councillor Jan LiggettthankedMorguard Real Estate Investment Trust for its work with the city to build the mulitplex, highlightingthat construction costs forthe project had gone up.

• CBC K-W archived coverage of Cambridge sports multiplex

"Unfortunately, despite much discussion, moving forward with the initial concept at this specific site is not an affordable option for the city," Liggettwrote.

"As well, market conditions have changed since this project was first envisioned and then approved by council in 2016."

Coun. Nicholas Ermetatold CBC Kitchener-Waterloostaff were in negotiations with the mall owners for some time. Even though the owners were interested, theyhad a list of criteria theywanted the city to meet.Ermetawould not go into detail as to what criteria needed to be met.

In the end, it was too costly, he said. "It was well over what we were comfortablewith spending and we do have a responsibility to the taxpayers," he said.

Long time, no progress

Plans to build a sports multiple usefacility in Cambridge havebeen in the works for years. The initial proposed location for the project included Conestoga College, butErmetatold CBC News in March 2016 the site wasan "unacceptable" location for the city's new sports facility.

Council then created a site selection task force to consider alternatives. The option to place the multiplex at the Cambridge Centre Mall came to light after news that Sears was bankrupt and closing.

Council then voted in October 2017 to split the multiplex from a single facility, with the ice rinks and gym portion going to the Cambridge Centre Mall and swimmingpools at a different location.

It's frustrating to Coun. Frank Monteiro.

"This thing could have been built already, we couldbe using it or walking in the door now," he said.

Revisit concept

Monteirosaid now, staff have to start from scratch. Though the design of the complex will remain somewhat the same, he said staff may have to look into the number of ice rinks the complex will have and whether to have 25 or 50 metre pools.

Liggett says staff will need to consult with the community"to see if the initial concept still resonates."

City staff have been directed to present affordable alternatives to council during the upcoming March 5 committee meeting.

Ermeta said the public will be able to attend the meeting and share their thoughts online.

Liggettsaid it may includebuilding a recreation complex at the city-owned south east Galt lands or revitalizing the city's existing sports facilities.

"Once staff bring forward a proposal on March 5th, we will consult with the public to ensure the community has a voice in this process," she said.

Ermetasaidthe list of affordable alternatives are mainly city owned properties. He adds the site in south east Galt is of great interest as ithas enough land to fit the entire multiplex and is in an area where the city is growing.

Monteiro adds the south east Galtsite would be more affordable because the city already owns the land.

Once council receives the report on March 5, it will then vote on a location later on in the year.