Langford seeking funds to build Sportsplex
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: November 03, 2009 1:18 PM
Bowling operator might ante $4.4 million
The federal and provincial governments have committed $4.46 million each toward an ice rink and bowling centre at City Centre Park, but Langford has yet to lock down its share.
Langford Mayor Stew Young said the City is trying to get future facility operator Xcalibur Bowling to pay $4.46 million to build the bowling centre. In return it wold get a lengthy lease agreement, on the order of 66 years.
Xcalibur would not own the building.
The provincial-federal infrastructure money would be used to build the adjoining ice rink portion of what Langford calls the Sportsplex, budgeted at $13.4 million.
“We are looking at a partnership that would save taxpayers money and where we would get a good operator,” Young said. “Every large project in Langford we’ve had developers pay, which has allowed us to do more big projects.”
If Xcalibur doesn’t come up with the funding, Coun. Lanny Seaton said the City will need to go through a counter-petition or referendum process to get public permission to borrow the money.
“We are definitely going ahead with the (Sportsplex),” said Seaton, chair of Langford’s parks and recreation committee. “We are definitely not turning back that grant. We will make it work.”
Under the federal infrastructure grant conditions, the Sportsplex needs to be built by March 31, 2011.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
v2
