In the May 25 issue of the Welland Tribune there was an extensive article on a proposed new arena to cover a shortage of badly needed ice rinks, shortages recognized almost 4 years ago.
Have we forgotten the sale of land to the Seaway Mall 4 years ago for $ 35,000.00, land that was going to include in the proposal 2 ice pads?
The sale of the land was on the condition if the Seaway Mall did not come through with the proposal within a 3 year time period the land would go back to the city.
At that time or shortly after an article appeared in the Welland Tribune outlining the intentions of the Seaway Mall to have a firm from Chicago meet with the Mall people to discuss the construction of the ice pads. Needless to say nothing was ever reported on that meeting, if indeed there was a meeting, the rinks were never built and the 3 year time period expired last year.
What happened to the Seaway plan?
Did the land go back to the city?
Over the past months many people have questioned this deal, unfortunately neither the city nor the Seaway Mall have yet to make a comment.
2 comments:
The land should have been returned to the City after the 3 years lapsed. The option was certainly written into the Bylaw for that to happen. This is a classic case of insider deals. Councilor Belcastro is the President of Seaway Mall and also sits on the WRCC Board whose land this actually was controlled by. Conflict of interest, you bet. Sleazy insider politics at its worst, ditto. The next question is whether there is a legitimate reason for two more pads. While the Parks and Recreation Master Plan called for this, the demographics in their own report show an dramatic decrease in the 5-18 and 19-34 age groups in twenty years. I would love to hear an explanation for this curious little oversight.
Hi John:
Sorry for taking so long to answer.
I have been after the city for a number of months for an explanation on this deal. The city saw fit not to answer so almost one month ago I sent them a freedom of information (FOI) asking for an explanation . after 2 weeks the city replied stating; They have not exercised the option with no explanation. Tomorrow I will be appealing their reply.
I can not understand the reason for pursuing a new pad arena when the Seaway Mall was going to build one at the Mall's expense.
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