PRESS RELEASES
Where will it be? - Posted on 2008-03-04
By NEVILLE CRABBE
sports@stcroixcourier.ca
ST. STEPHEN – More than four years since the first public meetings were held to discuss the proposed Charlotte County Civic Centre, the committee overseeing the project has yet to name or acquire a site for the $15 million building.
Asked why, Civic Centre Committee chair Richard Fulton admitted the main reason his group has not acquired a site is a lack of cash, and, he said, should the project stumble, the organizers would have no need for land.
“We are very confident in our ability to raise sufficient money from private and government sources, (but) it is not guaranteed,” said Fulton, “We do not want to make a significant investment in land until we are closer to our ultimate goal.”
Fulton further explained that new potential sites are still being uncovered, and if his group were to commit to build in one location, by the time construction is ready to begin, there may be a more suitable package of land available. Therefore by lunging at real estate, it may handicap itself should something more desirable come to market.
“People have offered to sell or donate pieces of land which we might not have thought were available a couple of years ago. Each one takes significant time and effort to evaluate,” said Fulton, adding that the board of directors has been under great pressure from an inquiring and sometimes skeptical public to come up with a location.
Serious discussions of possible sites for the new community recreation centerpiece began in early 2005. A Saint Croix Courier article dated April 1 of that year quoted Fulton as saying the project is “alive and well,” and that the committee had come up with 20 prospective sites.
Among those early candidates evaluated by the civic centre committee, six were considered “good.” They included the Budd Avenue waterfront lot, the Department of Transportation garage near the traffic circle on Highway 1, the Irving bulk site on Prince William Street, a space behind the Charlotte Mall and in Milltown near the hydroelectric plant.
After some flip-flopping which saw the existing Border Arena site jump from non-contender to front runner, in July 2006 Fulton’s committee settled on the Budd Avenue site as the future home of the Charlotte County Civic Centre, a decision praised by then Mayor Bob Brown.
“I believe it will have a positive impact on the area. It’s also a beautiful location. It’s nice to see some major construction along the waterfront,” said Brown in a July 25, 2006 interview.
Unfortunately, what seemed like a winning proposal sank when further analysis revealed the waterfront land would not support a building of that magnitude, including an ice surface, an indoor pool, community rooms, retail stores and suitable parking space. Since then, no site has been publicly favoured by the steering committee.
So what are the considerations for site selection of the centre? First and foremost, according to Fulton, is access.
“It must be close to major roadways, not only to minimize traffic problems, but also to be easily found by visitors,” said Fulton, “Second, it must have access to municipal water and sewer to meet the high demand during major events.”
As well, the committee does not favour a site that would accommodate only the conceived plan. There must be room to expand and include additions such sports fields, hotels, restaurants and coffee shops.
But for now, said Fulton, as the recent past has shown, despite “great pressure,” the civic centre committee will not have its hand forced into committing to a particular piece of land.
“As soon as the best site is determined and it is the right time to buy, the decision will be made,” concluded Fulton.
In other civic centre news, sources close to the project say that a major fundraising announcement is expected soon. On the recommendation of the professional fundraising firm Bolduc, Nolet and Primeau that has been retained to oversee the $15 million drive, project representatives have been busy seeking major donors before going public with any numbers.
Without giving a firm date, project officials say that an announcement could come within weeks that as much as half the money, $7.5 million, has been raised.