NANAIMO REGION
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Facilities plan returned to school district staff School board chairman Steve Rae says trustees “have a lot of questions” about the updated plan. A3
Hostage arrest
Vancouver Aquarium rejects whale ban idea
Somali man held in Ottawa accused in Amanda Lindhout kidnapping in Somalia in 2008 8
Proposal called misguided as aquariums are essential to understand the creatures, claims the facility. A8
Nation & World, A7
The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Saturday, June 13, 2015
BIG PLANS Millstone Gateway Project features downtown arena
A conceptual photo illustration for the proposed Millstone Gateway Project in downtown Nanaimo, which includes a new hotel, an arena, residences and opportunities for tourism development.
Residential, tourism components included SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
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BRADY
“It’s in its infancy right now, we’re still putting it together . . . We would like the city to have it as part of their inventory for ice time, or floor time.” Dan Brady, project spokesman
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Sunny, cloudy periods High 20, Low 11 Details A2
n ambitious vision for a downtown Nanaimo sports and entertainment complex — as well as new residences, a hotel and options for tourism development — has been proposed for the site now occupied by the Howard Johnson Hotel at Terminal Avenue and Comox Avenue. City support, but not capital funding, is being sought for the project. It is spearheaded by Brian Martin, who owns the hotel and the roughly eight-acre property it sits on. Dan Brady, manager of Martin’s Howard Johnson Harbourside hotels in Nanaimo and Victoria, said on Friday afternoon that he and other representatives for the project met with Mayor Bill McKay and other senior city officials earlier in the day to discuss the project. “To do a megaproject like this,
you have to have the support of city hall,” Brady said. He estimates the project’s total cost at $80 million. Brady also said he is seeking comments from the public on the proposal, and said people can call him at 250-753-2241. The Western Hockey League has also been informed and is “excited about the project,” said Brady, also president of the Nanaimo Hospitality Association and the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation’s representative on the Nanaimo Tourism Leadership Committee. A request for comment to the WHL was not returned by press time, although the league has in the past stated it views Nanaimo as a potential franchise expansion, subject to a new arena. Concept drawings for the development show a 5,000-seat arena and a 160- to 170-room hotel on the site, plus a five-storey mixed residential and commercial building.
“It’s in its infancy right now, we’re still putting it together,” Brady said. A development permit application has not been filed yet and Friday’s meeting is the first effort to gauge support for the project, he said. While the city is not being asked to invest directly in the proposal, Brady said the municipality is being asked to consider working with the proponent to relocate sewer, water and utility lines beneath what is now the parking lot of the Howard Johnson. Brady said the aim is also to have the city support the facility by running some of its recreational programming through the arena. “We would like the city to have it as part of their inventory for ice time, or floor time,” Brady said. A private-sector partner may also be sought for the arena portion of the project.
Race controversy over claim woman not black
Mariner soccer player leads league in scoring
Family members say Rachel Dolezal, head of the Spokane, Wash., NAACP, has falsely portrayed herself as black for years when she is actually white. » Nation & World, A9
Jordan de Graaf has started the Pacific Coast Soccer League campaign in fine form for the Mid Isle Mariners and leads the team and men’s division. » Sports, B1
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Mayor Bill McKay said he wants to learn more about the project, but wants specific details on what sort of commitments — financial and otherwise — that the city may be asked to make to the project. He said residents of the city will also have questions. “We’ve got to have the answers to those questions,” he said. “It’s an intriguing project.” Projects like these often spur growth in downtown areas, said the mayor. “It’s a great starting point, no ifs or buts about it,” McKay added. “I don’t think there’s anyone on council who wouldn’t want to see redevelopment on that site.”
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