LU takes first step toward on-campus arena

In awarding a contract to a private consultant to examine the idea, Laurentian University's board of governors has taken the first step towards the possible construction of a two-pad arena on campus.

The $175,000 consulting contract was awarded to PricewaterhouseCoopers Real Estate Dec. 12, with the understanding that the university's hockey advisory council will raise the funds to pay them.

The model currently being explored is a public-private partnership, where the university will offer the land, and a for-profit company would build and operate the arena.

A similar model is in place at York University, which has a four-pad arena built through a public-private partnership.

If all goes well, PricewaterhouseCoopers will come back to the university's board next spring to give a recommendation about whether or not the project is feasible, said Laurentian's vice-president of administration, Carol McAulay.

After that, if the project goes ahead, it will likely take another year to award the contract, with the goal of having the arena in place by 2018-2019, she said.

The idea to build an arena on campus came about with the reintroduction of varsity hockey at Laurentian in 2013. But the university is also looking to benefit the community and attract more people to the city, McAulay said.

“It's exciting,” she said. “I'm glad we're doing it this way. I'm glad we're taking the time to do a feasibility study. So we'll just look forward to the advice we get from our consultants.”

Although the board voted to move forward with the feasibility study, some board members voiced some concern about the project.

Laurentian University board chair Michael Atkins — the president of Northern Life — mentioned Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk recent revelation that public-private partnerships have cost an extra $8 billion over the past nine years.

He said he hoped the consultants would look into the option of Laurentian building the arena itself. McAulay replied that the consultants would be instructed to explore this option.

Guy Labine said he hopes data collected by the City of Greater Sudbury about the viability of a new arena will be taken into account.

“I can certainly explore that,” said fellow board member Ian Wood, who presented the report on the on-campus arena.

“I know that staff have met with the (City of Greater Sudbury) CAO, and I believe those meetings are intended to continue.”