UPDATE: A $90 Million Sports Complex Called Kawartha Centre Is In The Works In Peterborough's West End

[UPDATE: April 28th -> A $90 million sports complex called Kawartha Centre will not be built now apparently. Below is the release from Navigator's John MacDonald...

As a result of the decision made by Peterborough City Council, Navigator will not pursue the development of the Kawartha Centre as a sport tourism/entertainment project. Instead, Navigator will seek other development opportunities for the site on the North West corner of Clonsilla Avenue at Lansdowne Street West.

Navigator’s President, John MacDonald states that he is disappointed with Council’s decision, “After speaking with seven of ten Councillors prior to the meeting, they indicated they would support a continued dialogue regarding the Kawartha Centre proposal and consider the option of a Public-Private Partnership.”

Navigator’s vision for Kawartha Centre was to create a state-of-the-art facility that combines a sports complex with an entertainment venue and a convention centre in the heart of Peterborough.

Regardless of what facilities are housed on site, Navigator addressed the need and community desire to create a recreation complex that caters to multiple sports. The facility could have been state-of-the-art in terms of what it provides and how it is designed. It would respect the natural environment surrounding the facility and would be representative of the elements that have come to be identifiers of Peterborough: sport community and tourism.

The development of Kawartha Centre would have been overseen by Navigator which is experienced in significant development projects. Navigator would use a collaborative and open book formula to create a guaranteed fixed-price for construction, financing, leasing and ongoing management.

Before making Kawartha Centre public on April 16, Mr. MacDonald met with the Mayor and individual Councillors to discuss the concept. Based on the enthusiastic response from 8 of 11 members of Council, Mr. MacDonald proceeded to prepare a proposal for presentation to the citizens of Peterborough, with the understanding that Kawartha Centre should or could be included in further discussions of the twin pad/sport tourism complex.

Prior to the Council meeting of April 27th Mr. MacDonald had individual conversations with most Councillors, at which time seven agreed to support the addendum presented to Council as follows:

Navigator is asking City Council to consider the following addendum to the motion on report CSD15-004: That in addition to the staff recommendations a, c, d, e, g, h and i, in the Arena Development Report CSD15-004: Staff will work with Navigator so that the developer may bring forward a business plan to Council for consideration in the coming months. And that until such time, staff not rule out the option for a private –public partnership.

In his presentation to Council on April 27th Mr. MacDonald made it clear the development of the Business Plan would be at no cost to the City. Navigator would be looking to work with the City of Peterborough to make Kawartha Centre the Sport Tourism Destination for the region.
After further consideration of Council’s decision and the lack of support to explore a public-private partnership that could see significant infrastructure investment in Peterborough, Navigator will pursue the alternative uses envisioned for the site.

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ORIGINAL POST

Photo via KawarthaCentre.ca

A $90-million sports complex featuring a twin pad arena, sports fields, swimming pool, retail and a hotel and convention centre is in the works at the corner of Clonsilla Avenue and Lansdowne Street.

Named Kawartha Centre, the developer Navigator will be bringing plans forward to develop the site. The proposed development addresses the need and community desire to create a recreation complex that caters to multiple sports.

“We have been in conversation with representatives from Peterborough’s Sports community. There is significant interest and opportunity to build this type of facility in Peterborough,” says John S. MacDonald, President of Navigator.

Photo via KawarthaCentre.ca

Plans for the property show the 22.54 acre property in proximity to Peterborough’s largest power shopping node on Lansdowne Street and gateway into the downtown. The site is accessible to public transit and metres from The Parkway.

“Kawartha Centre is positioned to attract tournaments, entertainment events and conferences to Peterborough. We estimate that once built, the site will generate $50-60 million annually in tourism spending,” MacDonald says in a release.

Photo via KawarthaCentre.ca

Although Kawartha Centre is a private development, Navigator will be looking to work with the City of Peterborough to make Kawartha Centre the Sport Tourism Destination for the region. The next step for Kawartha Centre is to complete a formal business plan in the coming months. Through public and private partnerships however, MacDonald says Kawartha Centre will be built at a minimal cost to the City in both operating and capital expenses.

Navigator purchased the Kawartha Centre property from Kawartha Golf and Country Club, who deemed the property as excess land after undergoing a Revitalization Review.

Navigator has more than 30 years of real estate development, finance and marketing experience. Its President John S. MacDonald has been involved in a number of significant projects, including Kawartha Glen, Costco Peterborough and Peterborough EMS.

For more info on the project, click here.

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