Sports tourist facility could be in jeopardy

by Justin Thompson

Plans to finish building the $17 million sports tourism facility could be stopped if developers are not granted tax and business incentives by the city.

James King, owner of King Development said the company will not continue the remaining phases of the building plan if they are not granted $1.9 million.

“We won’t build it, right now my feeling is that it just doesn’t make sense,” said King. “I believe that council members will come together and will look at the whole thing and see that this community needs this type of facility here.”

The Windsor Central Park Athletics facility is eligible to receive tax and business incentives through the Economic Revitalisation Community Improvement Plan. The facility is being built by King Development on Grand Marais Road East. The company is asking for $1.9 million but city administration has suggested $607,380 spread over 10 years.

The company intends to build the facility to a professional standard. Two ice pads and a gymnastics facility have already been built. The company has applied for the grant to complete the construction of an indoor soccer pitch.

“We qualified for the economic development,” said King. “It’s that simple. If we qualify, we should be granted. That’s the way I feel.”

City Councillors Bill Marra, Drew Dilkens, Hilary Payne and Ed Sleiman were at the planning and economic development committee meeting Jan. 13 to vote on the recommendation. Dilkens and Payne voted in favour of the recommendation.

“There is a need in the community for this kind of development for an indoor soccer area for kids to play,” said Dilkens.

Marra and Sleiman did not vote in favour of the recommendation. Because of the tie the decision will go before city council.

“It appears that the economics of it won’t work if they don’t get the grant,” said Marra. “I think that’s the other selling feature to me. The part that surprised me is that what’s triggering the substantial development charges is that it’s going to be an enclosed facility.”

Though Marra did say the facility is ‘unique’, because it could bring great tourism benefits to Windsor.

The facility will replace the former Windsor Ice Park, a privately owned arena complex that opened in 1996. The complex was no longer profitable and filed for bankruptcy in 2011. The Ice Park was sold to King Development in Jan. 2012.

If the company does receive the grant, the facility is expected to be fully open in September 2015.