Listowel is one step closer to building a new arena after North Perth council pledged to the construction of a new facility.
Over a hundred people filled the council chambers on Monday night in support of Kinsmen Paddyfest chair Bill Watson’s delegation, urging council to finally make a decision on the future of the Listowel Memorial Arena. After years of studies, two unsuccessful government funding applications, and countless hours of sub-committee meetings, Watson said the project has reached a point where council needs to make up their minds about where they are going with it.
“It’s a tough decision for everyone, but it needs to be made and it needs to be made shortly,” he said.
Watson described the earlier funding application process as “very rushed” and there was information they didn’t have at the time that is available now. Watson restated the Listowel Kinsmen remain wholly committed to the project, and have been putting off projects of their own in favour of making a contribution to a new arena. According to Watson, the Kinsmen are still committed to donating over a million dollars in the next 10 years, but they need council to move ahead so that they can plan their fundraising. Watson said that all of council and those on the recreation committee are familiar with the Listowel Memorial Arena’s current state of disrepair, and a new facility is needed.


“We need to do something, we don’t know what it is but we need to move forward and be committed to building a new multi-purpose complex,” he said.
Watson stated that a new needs and feasibility study is required to determine what the community would like to see in a new arena and what the taxpayers would be able to support.
Coun. Randy Pettapiece questioned the ability of paying for an estimated $12 million arena without any government funding and relying solely on fundraising and increasing taxes in the municipality.
“I think your cause is a noble one, but there’s going to be a considerable load put on the shoulders of the ratepayers of North Perth,” he said.
Pettapiece also asked why another study is needed when there have been several infrastructure reports done in the last 10 years. Watson responded that the most recent study was already three years old, and the preferred option was replacing the arena rather than repair.
Deputy mayor Julie Behrns brought up the fact that North Perth remains the highest-taxed municipality in the county, and it’s still unclear how the existing projects of the administration building and new fire hall will affect the 2010 budget. Behrns said it was irresponsible to go ahead with any project without fully investigating the cost of it.
“Basically you’re asking us to make a decision without the proper financial information, and not only mortgage your children’s future, but your grandchildren’s future,” she said.
A resolution was put forth for council to plan, develop and prepare for construction of a new arena over repairing the existing facility, and it was carried. Watson said it was exciting news for not only him, but the community as a whole.
“I think the community needed it more than anybody,” he said. “We all have a common goal to see North Perth move ahead.”
Mayor Ed Hollinger voted in favour of the resolution, and agreed with Watson that a decision was needed from council before any further work be done.  
“I have to agree with the delegation that you need something to move forward for before you can do a feasibility study,” he said. “
Hollinger said the recreation committees will go back to their meetings and work on a feasibility study of a new arena, for which there are no set time frames for at this time.
“That would depend on the not only the structure you’re intending to construct but also the viability of the fundraising the would need to be done,” Hollinger said.