Thunder Bay event centre could be 'rescaled'

Thunder Bay delegates returning from the Ontario Good Roads Association conference in Toronto said on Wednesday some progress was made on obtaining funding for the city's proposed event centre. But councillor Brian McKinnon wouldn't comment directlyon rumours the federal government would not fund the facility.

He said more would be revealed at a city council meeting on March 23rd.After that date, "we will know where we're heading," he said.

"I would think this is going to be a very important meeting," said McKinnon.

Thunder Bay city councillor Joe Virdiramo said some changes may be necessaryto ensure the centre qualifiesfor provincial funding.

"Pending on what the funding is, we may have to take a look at the project and re-scaling in such a way that we could meet the needs of the funding that we have," he said.

The design of the proposed centre has already been changed, eliminating a parking structure.

Virdiramo said changes would be made, "until we get it done in a way that's going to meet the needs of the community."

"We feel that we need to complete the work that needs to be done in the north core. With the developments happening there on the waterfront, the condos, the hotels, this would be the final touch," he said.

Virdiramo said he was optimistic the two senior levels of government would come through with some money for the facility.

If not, "we'll have to deal with it," he said.