Discussions surrounding the potential sale of Mile One Centre have resurfaced, and one potential buyer believes there are a lot of benefits to private ownership.
Dean MacDonald, the owner of the Newfoundland Growlers, has been pursuing the city for some time to purchase the building.
(Dean MacDonald, file photo.)
MacDonald says private ownership could offer a lot of improvements to the facility, including things such as extensions to the building, improving the flow of traffic, and adding more employees, which would result in shorter lines.
He says cities can’t always make those investments but private business will.
(Jamie Korab, file photo.)
Meanwhile, The City of St. John’s says they have not been in talks with the owner of the Newfoundland Growlers about purchasing the Mile One, but they are open to having that discussion.
Councillor Jamie Korab says it is not a common practice, but it is something they would look at.
He adds that the city doesn’t plan on putting any money into the centre anytime soon and because the centre is technically owned by the residents and paid for by the taxpayers, consultation would need to take place.
He says they do not even know if they would be able to directly sell it to someone, but they would have to look at it, bring it to the board and other parties.
