The Yardmen Arena has been home to the Bulls from the team began. Bulls owner Gord Simmonds says it’s time the building was renovated.
By Shelden Rogers and Riley Maracle
BELLEVILLE – Is modernizing the Yardmen Arena a priority for Belleville’s elected officials?
That’s the question QNet News decided to ask this week after Belleville Bulls owner Gord Simmonds said he might move the Ontario Hockey League team if the city does not agree to improve the arena within the next few years.
Here are the answers from all members of city council, plus the two declared candidates for council positions in the 2014 municipal election.
Mayor Neil Ellis: Did not return calls seeking comment.
Councillor Jodie Jenkins: “It’s my belief that this city is about to take on an enormous amount of debt, and discussions about that type of project are inappropriate at this time.”
Councillor Pat Culhane: “I haven’t been involved in discussions about the Yardmen, except for a few times it has come up to (council). I had best defer to the mayor on this.”
Councillor Jack Miller did not return calls seeking comment this week, but in an earlier interview had said: “We are going to have to see what monies become available. While we can talk about (upgrades to the arena), there needs to be a business plan. There needs to be a full idea through the plan as to how you pay for these things … If the city is going to maintain an Ontario Hockey League team, something has to give somewhere down the road. In the meantime, the Bulls ownership has been very patient and has worked with the city, and hopefully that will continue … By 2017 (when the Bulls’ lease of the arena with the city expires), there is going to have to be some commitment toward an upgraded facility or a new facility, whichever way the council decides to go. If there is nothing practical, or nothing affordable, then I would suggest the future of the team would certainly come into question.”
Councillor Egerton Boyce: “It’s not our No. 1 priority at the moment; we’ve identified several infrastructure needs that need to get done. We are in the construction of a new firehall; the police-station discussion is ongoing; we’ve got various infrastructure needs … I understand that the Bulls in this community are very important … We understand that it brings money to the community, and awareness to the community … As a whole I think the council wants to work with Gord and ensure the Bulls are here for another 30 years … He understands that we have a lot on our plate, and hopefully one of those things is going to be strong discussion of what we do next with the Bulls … If I was to say that we are going to make the Bulls a priority right now, I would say that wouldn’t be fair to this community right now.”
Councillor Garnet Thompson: Did not return calls seeking comment.
Councillor Taso Christopher: “They’re working through the lease, and when the lease comes up we’ll sit down and revisit the conditions on the lease … (T)he lease is in play right now, and I am sure before the lease (expires) they’ll connect with one another and plan their attack going forward.”
Councillor Tom Lafferty: “There is never enough money to spend on things that need to be done. There is always lots of things to spend money on. We need to upkeep the arena – I mean, if you have a house and don’t look after it, then it’s eventually going to fall down. But I do think that we have a responsibility and a commitment … If you speak of building a new arena, then I don’t support that. But to maintain the arena that we have and keep it in good working order then absolutely.”
Councillor Jackie Denyes: Did not return calls seeking comment.
Council candidate Bruce Airhart: “I would have to say that I agree with the fact that (renovating the arena) is not high, high on the priority list. It is something that is going to need to be addressed. I’d like to do something to keep the Bulls in Belleville, and if it takes some sort of public or private partnership, something along those lines, yes, I’d be for something like that … First and foremost, I want to talk to the local (residents), and find out what they’re looking for, and what they want to be improved.”
Council candidate Neal Ford: Did not return calls seeking comment.
Related:
Belleville Bulls owner could consider move if arena issue remains stale
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