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City Council has not yet considered an update on the long-planned Multi-Use Sport and Event Centre project, including a recommendation to approve 182 Townsend St. as the preferred future location. The item will appear on a future General Committee agenda, with the date to be determined.
The proposed site at 182 Townsend St., currently home to the City’s bus garage and a secondary public works yard, would become available once a new bus facility is built on Romaine Street. Officials say the site offers several advantages, including full City ownership, proximity to downtown businesses, access to nearby parking, and opportunities for wider redevelopment and environmental improvements such as daylighting Jackson Creek.
Council is also set to begin a process seeking submissions from the private sector for potential partnerships related to the project. The call for submissions would include 182 Townsend St., portions of Townsend Street between Aylmer and George streets, municipally owned properties on Wolfe Street, and the existing Memorial Centre property east of Roger Neilson Way. Officials say this process will help identify opportunities for a larger district plan and reduce project risk.
The Multi-Use Sport and Event Centre project, launched in 2018, has been guided by feasibility studies examining building size, seating capacity, functional and financial comparisons with the existing Memorial Centre, market opportunities, potential components, and locational considerations. Council previously directed that the preferred location align with the Downtown First public investment strategy.
The proposed facility is expected to be roughly 155,000 square feet with seating for 5,800 and could become a key anchor for downtown revitalization while enhancing recreational and event options in Peterborough.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
