Could Sudbury have a multi-use facility? Yes, if the community and city fathers allow for private development and ownership of such a facility.

The city’s tourism department has done a great job promoting our city, but if given the proper facilities, they could and would ensure this type of facility is used.

With the assistance of the private management team from said facility, they would ensure hotel rooms are booked, restaurants are filled, shopping malls are busy and people are spending money.

Many people wonder why companies like Vale or Xstrata do not build this type of facility. They are not into building such facilities, but might be interested in naming rights.

This has to be built by a company interested in making money or supplementing another aspect of their operations, such as a casino operator.

With the Sudbury Wolves as a tenant for said facility, this should make it easier for a casino operator to be interested.

They would have a secure tenant for a minimum of 40 nights if they make play-offs, which should happen if team ownership is committed to their product.

Some of the shows casinos bring to their entertainment venues don’t make money, but with having the patrons coming to the gaming facility, they will recoup some of those losses.

A casino operator will likely bring in events such as MMA, curling, figure skating, boxing, concerts, wrestling, poker tournaments, rodeo and awards shows, such as the Juno’s.

Why does Laurentian want to build their own double pad rink complex? Because they realize they can make some money with this complex, renting extra ice to city teams running tournaments on a regular basis.

They will also have private relationships in the development, with companies like Tim Horton’s and Subway.

Some of these facilities depend on regular tournament activities to ensure they make money, and that’s why you see private companies like Canal Sports,involved in arena operations.

Rent ice time to locals during week days then hold tournaments on weekends to ensure maximum ice rentals.

The city is reluctant to allow this because of possible job losses and do not want to deal with their union on this, but other jobs will be created that will absorb some or most of the jobs lost by private-run arenas.

Again, I state the city must look outside the box. There are many opportunities here for the city to get a much-needed facility if it allows for private development and management.

Greg A. Connor
Greater Sudbury