Minister quashes plans for Guertin Arena renovation

Plans to revitalize Gatineau's Robert Guertin Arena have been put on hold after a Quebec minister announced Monday that she agrees with municipal councillors who felt the process so far has been unfair.

Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Municipal Affairs minister, said Monday that the current proposal for the arena would have to be scrapped because there had not been a call for tender.

On April 3, Gatineau city councillors passes a motion to enter into a partnership with the Olympiques, the city's major junior hockey team, to produce a $28-million renovation of the arena.

The proposed renovation included building a new shell over the current arena, destroying the old shell, increasing the arena's capacity, and providing it with new equipment and a new rink.

Several councillor said they opposed the idea, however, because the partnership Gatineau's first public-private partnership had not gone through a proper procurement process.

"The process the city engaged in should have required a public call for submissions," said Normandeau, speaking in French.

She said that there should have been a call for tender and an opportunity for the public to comment on any proposals the city seriously considered.

Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau said that the minister's decision was disappointing, but that the city would comply and put the proposal for the arena out to tender.

"I think it's still a good project," said Bureau.

He also said that the Olympiques were welcome to re-submit a proposal when the call for tender goes out.

Gatineau Councillor Aurele Desjardins, however, said that his confidence in the revitalization project is waning.

"We wasted three months," he said. "Now we have to work and go ahead with another project. I hope the same thing won't happen again."

When the city is again close to any tentative deal to have the arena renovated, Gatineau residents have been told that they'll be given an opportunity to comment no matter who puts forward the plans.