We need arenas, not empires

Last week during a special public meeting on the proposed twin-pad arena and community centre, Ald. Bob Brooks was confused by the figures.

He was under the impression the quoted $10.6-million price tag included all costs.

But then city staff told him the figures did not include the land, as indicated by the fine print in the information given council. This explanation city administrator Doug Lagore defended by saying: "It's always been clear that the budget doesn't include site development costs."

It may have been clear to Lagore, but it wasn't to Brooks -- or the general public.

Another incident at a special Dec. 1 community services meeting illustrates how Lagore plays games with critical information, with the consent of Mayor Dave Lovell.

Staff recommended the community services committee authorize the mayor and Lagore to enter into a purchase agreement with the GNWT for an Old Airport Road site for the twin-pad arena.

Council was being asked to approve a purchase before knowing what the price of the property would be, when the deal would close, what conditions might be attached to the purchase and what the public, particularly those living near the property, had to say about it.

All too often, previous councils have swallowed the explanation that such motions to purchase are really just motions to negotiate.

Ald. Cheryl Best, who chairs the committee, caught the inconsistency. Committee voted to change it, and council approved the change Monday night.

Lagore's empire-building attitude is best summed up by his comment that such an expensive facility will place no additional tax burden on residents. Block funding will pay for it, he insists.

Make no mistake -- if this arena proposal is not brought in at a reasonable cost, it will not be built.

The city administration is not interested in saving money and the mayor is in its court.

Only aldermen like Best and Brooks, and others in tune with the ratepayers, will be able to bring in a project that serves both our young athletes and common sense.

This part of the world is full of young, bright, enthusiastic and capable young people who aren't being given a chance to play a meaningful role in the economy. They are single mothers, and it would be a shame if we couldn't find the wherewithal to help them get involved.

The YWCA's FOCUS program, which provides basic training and social development to single mothers, is getting the proverbial axe thanks to budget cuts, but we are not convinced the will and resources can't be found in the city to revive it.

This is another example of cutting off a nose to spite the face. In the long run, we can't afford to exclude a vital portion of the population from the working world. Government, industry and the non-profit sector should get together and save the program. Before it's too late.