Cambridge sports multiplex: Timeline of a troubled project 2014-2019

As the city of Cambridgescrapped plans to build the city's sports multiplex at the Cambridge Centre Mall earlier this month, CBC K-W has put together a timeline of how the multiplex project developed over several years.

• CBC K-W archived coverage of Cambridge sports multiplex

2019

February 2019: City cancels plans for Cambridge Centre

The City of Cambridge passesa motion to cancel plans to build the multiplex at the Cambridge Centre Mall. Staff deemthe project too expensive and are directed to find new affordable locations to present on March 5.

2018

August 2018: No update

CBC K-W reaches out to the City of Cambridge for an update on the multiplex project.No update from council.

2017

December 2017: Cambridge Centre to becomeshome of multiplex

Cambridge city councilors votein favour of the Cambridge Centre Mall as the home of the multiplex's non-aquatic portion.

It became the favoured spot after Sears Canada announced it would be closing its location at the mall. The new site was to include three rinks including the existing ice rink, three gymnasiums, and a walking and running track with room for the sports hall-of-fame.

October 2017: Council votes to split multiplex

Council votes to split the multiplex into two facilities. At the time, the Cambridge Centre Mall emergedas a possible location after the Chamber of Commerce mentioned more than a year ago the future of Sears was uncertain.

Mayor Doug Craig saidsplitting the sports facilities will help the citysave money because they may be able to utilize part of the former Sears store at the Cambridge Centreand they wouldn't need to build additional parking at the mall.

March 2017: Multiple sites proposed

A new optionput on the table for the Cambridge sports multiplexwould see the facility split between two locations: the gym and swimming pool at one site and the ice rinks at a second site.

The multiple site option was discussed at a meeting in March, wherecouncilors also considerthe work involved in analysing the five proposed locations for the sports facility.

January 2017: Mayor sitting on multiplex task force

In September 2016 a resident hadcomplainedto ADR Chambers, a Toronto legal and mediation office that serves as Cambridge's integrity commissioner, about mayor Doug Craig's involvement on the multiplex task force.

The resident argued Craig violated the city's procedural bylaw in regards to board and committee meetings. Butcity's integrity commissioner rulesCraig did not break any rules when he sat on the multiplex task force.

Residents and stakeholdersmeet with the multiplex task force to provide input on top five locations.

2016

December 2016: Top five spots for multiplex

The city's multiplex task force reveals the top five locations for the multiplex. At the time, two locations were tied for the number one spot, which were 220PinebushRoad and 261HespelerRoad, the former industrial property which housed the Grand River Flea Market.

The third spot was112PinebushRoad, followed by Franklin Boulevard and Savage Drive. The fifth spot was850 Fountain Street South.

May 2016: Cambridge defers from Conestoga College location

The City of Cambridgedecides to look at alternative locations for the multiplex due to residents not being happy with the initial location at Conestoga College, saying the location better serves residents of south Kitchener than Cambridge.

Council says it won'tmake a decision about where a proposedmultiplex will go until the end ofSeptember.

March 2016: Anywhere but Conestoga College

Cambridge Coun.Nicholas Ermetatells CBC K-W hewants the city's new sports facility to be built anywhere other than at Conestoga College, despite the fact that council hadalready voted in favour of the campus location.

He said thecampusis an "unacceptable" location for the city's new sports facility.

2015

August 2015:

The proposed partnership between the city and Conestoga College gets opposition from the public.

April 2015:

Council directs staff to develop a partnership agreement with Conestoga College to buildthe multiplex.

2014

2014-2015:

Cambridge staff complete a recreational master plan that recommends the construction of a new multi-use sports facility.