[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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