A former city councillor says it’s time to unload Mile One and the Convention Centre and go back to providing basic services.
The facilities have cost taxpayers millions, but this year St. John’s is facing a $13-million deficit. However, a city councillor says there is not enough time to go through the exercise to have any effect on this year’s budget that comes down in December.
(Tom Hann rises to speak in council in this 2013 file photo.)
Tom Hann says he was always against subsidizing Mile One and the Convention Centre when he was on council, and instead of council raising taxes, he would rather see them unload the facilities.
Growlers owner Dean MacDonald has a standing offer on the table.
(Concept art for Mile One upgrades, courtesy Deacon Sports.)
Hann says they got the deficit down at one point but it is again going in the wrong direction. He says it’s now costing taxpayers an extra $1.5-million a year.
Councillor Dave Lane says they are willing to look at all ideas.
Lane says they would have to go through some kind of RFP process but with only a few months until the budget, there isn’t enough time.
