by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 15/98) - Ratepayers today decide whether the city will borrow $2.8 million to build a twin-pad arena and make contributions toward a new youth centre and a gymnastics club.

The vote is limited to property owners. Each taxpayer gets one vote, except, as city clerk Tim Mercer explained, in the case of multiple properties held in different names.

"If a husband and wife co-own a property and the husband has exclusive ownership of another property he would get two votes," said Mercer.

Also, in the case of properties owned by corporations, a person with an interest in the corporation can surrender its vote to someone with an ownership interest in it.

Voting takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at city hall. Though few will probably be asked for it, it wouldn't hurt to have some identification handy when casting a vote in case any disputes arise.

Because of the controversy the arena project has generated, most involved with the issue believe participation in the plebiscite will be well above the usual 10 per cent of eligible voters.

Mercer reported at noon Tuesday that 13 proxy votes had been distributed.

The results of the plebiscite should be available by about 8 p.m. today, Mercer said.