There’s a new proposal in the mix when it comes to replacing the West Ferris Arena in North Bay.

One plan submitted is titled “Revitalizing West Ferris” and would involve a twin ice pad facility being built at the North Bay Mall.

Spokesperson Jamie Lowery says one ice pad would be a practice rink with the other having spectator seating for about 500.

However, he says they’re looking to do more than just fill the basic need of an arena.

“What it does is it creates a destination of sorts, or a hub, but it’s accompanied by existing commercial enterprises that are in the mall and some social programs,” he says.

Lowery says Gross Capital would finance and build the arena, in conjunction with the mall owners.

“They would present a cost for that over 25 to 30 years so you don’t see a big investment of capital right way from the city,” he says. “While that process is being negotiated, the city would work with the YMCA and work out programs and services that they would run on top of the arena.”

Those could include a seniors drop-in, youth employment services and a daycare, which he says is needed in that area of the city.

The revenue derived from all of the enterprises would go back into the lease.

Lowery also says ice booking would still be with the City of North Bay.

He says their plan would give a boost to West Ferris.

“By concentrating more youth in an existing area, intensification is really what a planner might refer to it as, you can leverage a lot of the things that are already there, you can take advantage of the population that’s there, the businesses that are there,” Lowery says.

He also says services like water and sewer are already in place.

Several groups are involved in the proposal including the mall owners, Gross Capital, the YMCA, Battalion Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Stan Butler, BDO and Mitchell Jensen Architects.

Another public bid involves a proposal on Pinewood Park Drive, with a statement released by Renzo Silveri and Jesse Shortt after the proposal was submitted.

“We are excited to have submitted our proposal. We firmly believe that Ferris is in need of growth and investment. Ferris needs a vision that shows commitment to the area, a belief that this end of town can thrive and survive, and proponents with the ability to attract exciting new opportunities for the people and businesses that make up this part of our city.”

The statement says their proposal is the only one that they believe can commit to free land for the arena, with a guarantee of new businesses and shopping/retail/dining opportunities on the surrounding land for citizens of North Bay.

The say they offer a return on investment like no other, by generating up to an expected $900,000 annually in new tax revenue. This means the cost of the arena could be virtually recouped in a generation.

They also believe their proposal is the best overall solution for Ferris. “It isn’t located right on Lakeshore Drive, but the vision we have will absolutely drive traffic to the area, have spin off benefits, and revitalize that end of the community. It will also draw people off the highway who will be able to continue into the rest of the city, which brings them right through Ferris,” the statement reads.

Nipissing University and the Near North District School Board have previously highlighted proposals too.

The city’s arena committee has already decided the Omischl Sports Complex as the preferred city-owned site.

Filed under: arena-proposal, north-bay-mall, revitalizing-west-ferris