Hamilton is often known as a no-nonsense city. Perhaps it's part of our steel-making roots, or just because of our down to earth nature, but regardless of why, City Council seems to be walking the talk when it comes to the Veledrome issue.
Faced with another deadline (today), for a decision as to whether to move ahead with a permanent velodrome for the 2015 Pan Am Games, a project that comes with a price tag of between $35 million and $45 million, the city is being asked to pay $10 million and assume the risk of the $8 million to $12.5 million funding gap that looms over the project. (see full Spec story here).
But it seems that the uncertainty, mixed messaging, ballooning cost related to a permanent velodrome, and the general way in which the whole matter has been handled, coupled with the off loaded pressure on council, has tested council's patience and will.
Perhaps Clr. McHattie said it best "If I had to call it at this point – his (Ian Troop's) actions, combined with the whole Pan Am fiasco, has left a bad taste in council’s mouth. I’d be very surprised if this was moving ahead. Council can only be punched in the gut so many times — and I think you’ll see the results of that on Tuesday.”
Do see this this as an "enough is enough" moment and thus support a decision to say No to a permanent veledrome? Or do you think we should keep with it?
We should walk away just based on the financial costs. All the monkey business is secondary.
ReplyDeleteSorce
In my opinion, I agree we should just say no. Too many unanswered questions. Clr. Ferguson said that we are growing weary of it all and I concur. Too bad because in the beginning I was quite excited about the prospect of a West Harbour Stadium, velodrome, and LRT. Now; not so much.
ReplyDeleteBut having said all that, there are still lots of positive things happening downtown, so I haven't given up hope.
The PanAm Games Stadium Site Selection Debacle was bad enough. The way the velodrome issue has unfolded leaves it in the dust.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the saddest interlude in recent memory...for me, that is...of this city taking a golden opportunity and...and... And making a mess of it.
Oh, and I have to say that The Spec article's sidebar on the Dutch velodrome situation wasn't particularly fair or enlightening. It comes across as a 'deemed-necessary' final dagger-thrust to a situation that deserved better. Much better.
We have been led down a path
ReplyDeleteSorce said it best in two sentences & I agree whole heartedly, wll said!!!
ReplyDeleteI too agree with Sorce's post. Couldn't have said it better man.
ReplyDeleteBrent
I think council's action was fine. A definitive end of the matter would have been better.
ReplyDeleteAnd now, after today's movements from Council, the response:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/68398740/VeloFinal
Sorce has a way of saying what would have taken me 3 paragraphs to say, in a one or two liner. I agree with him.
ReplyDeleteSevern