$275K consultation cost for Sudbury events centre 'part of the process:' mayor

Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger is defending a decision to spend $275,000 for consultation on a new events centre.

Bigger said the process is notdifferent from any other procurement that the city undertakes.

"We certainly need to do the homework and have the expertise from the industry that will give us all the information we need to make that decision," Bigger said.

"This is a significant decision and we take it very seriously."

Bigger said a consultant will study the business case for a new arena and prepare a request for proposals.

• Sudbury council wants a new arena so what's next?

"What they'll do is they'll help us review all the existing information that we have and help staff to further research and analytics on the best opportunities for an events centre-type facility," Bigger said.

What about theZulich acquisition?

Although Biggersaid he can't speculate as to when the process would wrap up, Bigger said the proposals are expected to be issued by the city in 2017.

He also said that he does notthink Dario Zulich's purchase of the Sudbury Wolves will affect the process.

In addition to owning the Ontario Hockey League franchise, Zulich is behind one of the new arena proposals.

• Sudbury Wolves sold to TESC owner Dario Zulich: OHL