$63M spending spree on trio of projects

Bill

- September 1, 2011 at 08:43:17

Paradise and CBS are both getting new ice surfaces. Would it not be more economically sound to build one centre with multi ice surfaces? I guess each MHA wanted his own project to ensure re-election.

Submit a comment

mac

- September 1, 2011 at 08:34:12

And the Premier said with a straight face that these announcements are not buying votes !!! Most voters didn't just fall off the turnip truck Ms Premier.

Submit a comment

Chris

- September 1, 2011 at 07:57:55

Before Paradise spends millions on something else they should first release to the public how much DEBT Paradise already has. They spend approx 4 million per year on debt payments so I bet the number is huge. The residents should start asking questions.

Submit a comment

Turry from town

- September 1, 2011 at 07:56:42

Local bars,hotels restaurants etc..will benifit from the convention center expansion.If the city benifits they will only blow the money on something else. With increased developement and revenue our taxes should be going down,something this council doesn't understand.Great for business who cater to tourism,bad for residents. GET RID OF THIS COUNCIL!

Submit a comment

mj

- September 1, 2011 at 07:52:55

$63 million dollars to buy an election! Wow!

Submit a comment

NL TURF

- September 1, 2011 at 00:10:53

Hey Dennis , here's an idea which will improve the city's look, do something with City Hall!!. "Yep, that's our city hall" - Yep, that's what I said , as I passed our Beautifull building - 3 times to 3 different guests from outside the Province within this past year. 1st comment - Geess, it looks like a Prison. 2nd comment - He never said a word!!! 3rd comment - It kinda looks oldbye!! A former Newfoundlander ,that had not been back here in over 40 yrs, said that. --------------- OK, HAVE I GOT YOUR ATTENTION!! BUY SOME CONCRETE PAINT AND GO TO WORK, THE WHOLE LOT OF YEA!!! OUR CITY HALL LOOKS LIKE A TURN OF THE CENTURY BAFT OUT, BURNT OUT , CANNON FORT, FROM THE EARLY 1800'S. AM I, AND MY 3 FRIENDS BLIND, OR IS THIS UGLY UNPAINTED CONCRETE BUILDING, COOL IN THE EYES OF THE YOUNG. DENNIS AND SHANNIE, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!! JOHN OR DOTTIE WOULDN'T HAVE IT , THAT'S FOR SURE!!

Submit a comment

Hockey Dad

- August 31, 2011 at 15:43:09

Paradise needs a stadium not a splash pad and dog park. I know a stadium costs more but get your prioities in order. Dogs are not more important than kids.

Submit a comment

• 

  Jon

  - August 31, 2011 at 16:53:41

  Hey Hockey Dad....Paradise, CBS & Harbour Grace are all getting new arenas. Good news. http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=16537&latest=1

• 

  JT

  - September 1, 2011 at 11:12:07

  Hey hockey dad, you want to talk about priorities? How about Paradise building, equiping and manning a fire department for rather than blow that funding on an arena. Relying on neighbouring communities for fire fighting services in the provinces fastest growing town is insane to say the least.

taxed

- August 31, 2011 at 15:14:04

I hope this does mean yet another hike in residential and water taxes! Since Mile One (or whatever it is called now) was constructed the City has been constantly running a deficit and the costs to homeowners has increased dramatically - coincidental?

Submit a comment

• 

  brett

  - September 1, 2011 at 07:31:33

  Mile One is supported by the accommodation businesses in the tourism industry in St. John's, not by the residents. There is a 3% accommodation tax that is charged to all people spending the night in town when staying at a hotel or B&B (registered B&B). Most of that goes to support MileOne (up to a point - then it gets split between the city/MileOne beyond that. So really - the hotels/B&B's are supporting your entertainment centre - one that you get but don't pay for.

• 

  brett

  - September 1, 2011 at 07:42:39

  The accommodation businesses pay for MileOne not the residents. They charge a 3% accommodation tax for all hotel/B&B rooms in the city. (Registered B&B's only). Residents get MileOne use for free. As a previous B&B operator (15rms) I am quite certain that we did not get value out of the taxes going towards MileOne.

Pothole

- August 31, 2011 at 14:56:08

FIX OUR ROADS!!!! Time to start putting tax payers money to good use!!! Theres roads in this city that are filled with potholes!!! There are even roads outside the city that still have not been repaired from Igor!!!!

Submit a comment

BT

- August 31, 2011 at 14:55:06

Dave, its comments like that, that make this city barley livable at times. Investment in infrastructure that brings people to this province will help shed some of the small mind mentallity for which this city is known. Even with an economic boom, this city still has some of the worst shopping, entertainment, architecture, public transport, and planning, of any major city in Canada. With those negative attitudes towards progression, none of this will change. Why spend money cutting grass when we can use that for filling potholes, right? Wrong, creating a city where people want to live will help the city and its citizens get the most out of this place. Look at Hamilton... who want to live there?

Submit a comment

Ashley

- August 31, 2011 at 14:47:19

And where will all the extra people park for this improved convention centre!? I avoid downtown whenever I can just because of parking. How about build a parking garage to accommodate all the people. That's too simple for the City to do.

Submit a comment

• 

  fog

  - August 31, 2011 at 15:17:25

  What's too simple is your abilities to keep up on the news. If you have followed along, you would know that new parking spaces are coming. The new development in the old Woolworths spot could bring up to 246 extra public parking spaces. The new development in the old CBC building on Duckworth will net an additional 216 public parking spaces. There is also the possibility of the parking garage in the new development on the Horwood lumber property will be opened up to the public after hours for things like hockey games, etc. Get your facts straight before you jump on the "lets insult city hall" bandwagon.

• 

  brett

  - September 1, 2011 at 07:38:51

  Um - aren't the parking spaces on duckworth (cbc) mostly going to the residents for the townhouses/condo units? I think that a focus on parking garages at either end of downtown + eliminating on street parking would do fabulous things for the downtown area. Increase the sidewalks, give businesses space for seats out the front (ie. The Sprout). It would also make snow clearing easier etc... And even make ticket collecting a lot easier too (and unobtrusive).

Dan

- August 31, 2011 at 14:46:30

The extra revenue from rental of the added space should be used to fund the crossing guard program for many years if things were done right......oh wait this is sin jawns counsel we are taking about here

Submit a comment

• 

  Saucy Face

  - August 31, 2011 at 15:26:59

  Why?

Sue

- August 31, 2011 at 14:37:05

The city & prov. should put the money in to fixing the roads in the provience & cities in NL.

Submit a comment

Jordan

- August 31, 2011 at 14:30:17

They're funding the crossing guard program again. The reason they don't want to fund it is because they don't feel it's a municipal issue, which it is not.

Submit a comment

ROD

- August 31, 2011 at 14:29:48

The city isn't ponying up $15 million. Both the province and Ottawa are each contributing $15 million, and the city "will fund the remainder," whatever that will be. It won't be $15 million, that's for sure. I hope the expansions include some additional PARKING...soon we'll all have to pack an overnight bag for the hike from Paradise every time we see a game!

Submit a comment

• 

  Allison

  - August 31, 2011 at 15:32:39

  Sorry Rod, according to the city's press release the total cost for the project is estimated at $45 million. Since the $15 million from the feds and the province are fixed amounts we'll be in for at least another $15 million, if the project stays on budget (yeah, right). That said, I do agree that the center needs an update. "Approximately $35 million is invested in the City as a result of meetings and conventions on an annual basis," says Mayor O'Keefe. "The economic benefits the City and local businesses receive from these events is substantial. We are a very popular destination for meetings and conventions because of our unique culture, heritage and natural environment, but as convention centres in the other three Atlantic provinces are already undergoing expansions it is critical that we stay competitive to attract this business to our region."

• 

  Allison

  - August 31, 2011 at 15:33:40

  Sorry Rod, according to the city's press release the total cost for the project is estimated at $45 million. Since the $15 million from the feds and the province are fixed amounts we'll be in for at least another $15 million, if the project stays on budget (yeah, right). That said, I do agree that the center needs an update. "Approximately $35 million is invested in the City as a result of meetings and conventions on an annual basis," says Mayor O'Keefe. "The economic benefits the City and local businesses receive from these events is substantial. We are a very popular destination for meetings and conventions because of our unique culture, heritage and natural environment, but as convention centres in the other three Atlantic provinces are already undergoing expansions it is critical that we stay competitive to attract this business to our region."

• 

  ROD

  - August 31, 2011 at 16:17:01

  This article was not up to date when I made my comment. With the correct details now included, I admit that I was wrong about the City's share of the cost.

dave

- August 31, 2011 at 13:55:55

So the city doesn't have the $200,000 to have crossing guards for schools to protect children but yet they have $15 million to expand a convention center that doesn't do any good for the city other than a waste of money.

Submit a comment

• 

  Mindy

  - August 31, 2011 at 14:38:29

  Great...the centre brings much needed revenue to the city. Many stores/hotels/eating establishments/taxis etc. make money when there are conventions and business meetings at the centre. There has been days that there is a steady flow of cabs picking up and dropping off. Great to the both gov'ts.in helping foot the cost..As the city grows there is a need for centre such as the one on New Gower street.

• 

  Steve

  - August 31, 2011 at 14:44:19

  Dave, There did fund the crossing guards!