Nanaimo voters will have their say on a new arena in a referendum on March 11. Based on Victoria’s experience, we offer this advice: Go for it. City council has proposed building a new sports and entertainment complex on Nanaimo’s waterfront with an arena with as many as 5,700 seats for hockey, and as many as 8,300 for concerts. Cost estimates range from $69.8 million to $86.6 million.
That’s a big chunk of change, and some people will be understandably nervous about taking on such a project. Pro and con campaigns have already started gearing up, which is how it should be — a project of this magnitude should not proceed without a full airing of the details and a vigorous debate.
Critics worry that the project is being “rammed through” while too much remains unknown. Costs could skyrocket, they fear, and taxes could rise.
Supporters say the community needs a new arena, that it would bring millions of dollars into the economy, create jobs and help revitalize Nanaimo’s downtown. All valid points, and ones that should be thoroughly explored.
Victoria faced a similar situation in the late 1980s. The old Memorial Arena — the Barn on Blanshard — was getting beyond shabby, and a new arena was proposed for the same site. Two proposals were rejected by Victoria voters in referendums in 1989 and 1992.
City council gave it another try, asking Victorians to vote in April 2002 on a plan for a 7,200-seat facility with spacious lobbies and large expanses of glass. The Times Colonist was firmly behind it, saying in an editorial that the new arena “will be a can’t-miss landmark on one of the most important thoroughfares in the city.” It would attract a Western Hockey League franchise and provide a venue for big-name concerts and other events.
This time, the people bought it, with 71 per cent voting in favour, resulting in what we now know as the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
It didn’t come without controversy and problems — construction took much longer than anticipated, and there was considerable fuss over naming rights (allayed somewhat when Save-on-Foods resurrected the “Memorial” part of the name).
But the positive predictions came true. After a false start, we ended up with the Victoria Royals, who are now firmly at home in the centre and have built a solid fan base.
The big names came — Rod Stewart was the star of the centre’s opening concert. Since then, the facility has seen a glittering array of performers, including Elton John, Leonard Cohen, Ringo Starr, ZZ Top, Jackson Browne, Prince, Aerosmith, Shania Twain, Bryan Adams, John Fogerty and Sarah McLachlan.
Cirque du Soleil has performed there. It has been the site of monster-truck rallies, home shows and political rallies. It’s always busy; it is essential to the downtown’s vibrancy.
So Nanaimo can take heart. Interest has been expressed in locating a WHL franchise there. Building an arena is not an iron-clad guarantee that the city will get a team, but not building an arena is a guarantee it won’t.
With a better performance venue, more of the big names in entertainment would be willing to come to Nanaimo. Victoria could benefit, too, as artists would find it more viable to come to the Island if they could perform at two venues.
The Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre has been good for Victoria. A new complex could be good for Nanaimo, bringing more events to town and adding vitality to the waterfront.
There will be hurdles to overcome and bugs to work out. Any new venture involves risks, but this is a risk worth taking.
