The potential sale of Mile One Centre is a popular thought for many, but not all are welcoming the idea with open arms.

Ron Penney, a former city manager with the City of St. John’s, was in the position when Mile One was planned and built. Penney wrote a guest column on the Uncle Gnarly blog challenging the idea.

He says many assume that the idea of selling Mile One makes perfect sense, and on the surface it does, with the elimination of the $2-million subsidy in theory. However, as someone who was heavily involved in the financing and construction of the 20-year-old building, Penney believes many are looking at the subsidy the wrong way. He looks at it as an investment.

Penney says Mile One and the St. John’s Convention Centre are integral to the convention business in the province. He believes it has to remain under public control.

Further, he adds that the main economic importance of Mile One is not hockey or basketball as the big money comes from large conventions.