Raise the Hammer
this blog entry has been updated
We might save the Velodrome yet.
Councillor Brian McHattie has posted a notice of motion on the Pan Am Velodrome [PDF] that would sell the city-owned West Harbour lands and contribute $5 million toward a Hamilton Velodrome, with the balance going to restore the Hamilton Fugure Fund.
Granted, it's likely going to Mohawk College Fennel Campus, but that will be an accessible transit hub by 2015.
After he waterfront stadium was killed early this year, for me the Velodrome became the one Pan Am legacy project I was still hopeful about. I would love to see the city find a way to make this work.
Here's Councillor McHattie's notice of motion in full:
Pan Am Games – Hamilton Velodrome
Whereas, the west Harbour lands were originally acquired by the City of Hamilton to facilitate Pan-Am Games’ facilities;
Whereas, there is a need to identify additional funds to support moving ahead to the tendering stage of the Pan-Am Games – Hamilton Velodrome project;
Whereas, through a national level campaign, the Mayor’s Cabinet will be seeking to fundraise $10M for the Hamilton Velodrome project;
Whereas, while this commitment of funding is required to move on to the tendering stage of the process, it may not be needed when the actual cost of the velodrome is known in February 2012 (i.e., given cost of Pan-Am Stadium project 30% over-stated; and recent velodrome construction cost examples from around the world in the $25-35M range).
Therefore Be It Resolved:
That up to $5M be allocated to the Pan-Am Games – Hamilton Velodrome from the sale of the west Harbour lands, with the remaining funds from sales of lands allocated to the Hamilton Future Fund.
Update, November 23, 2011: Councillor McHattie just replied to a query from RTH with the following update:
Notice of Motion can stay on the Council agenda for two meetings, at which time they need to be actioned or removed. Given the current Council mood and the uncertainty on where the velodrome is going (discussions with Milton and Vaughan, some possibility of TO2015 coming back to Hamilton) I didn't want this voted down so I removed it. I now have the opportunity to bring the motion back if I wish.
By Robert D (anonymous) | Posted November 22, 2011 at 14:54:33
Whatever happened with this?
By jason (registered) | Posted November 22, 2011 at 19:35:50
I think I read that he was withdrawing the motion. Not sure why, or if that's definitely the case.
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