KED Build Agreement Motion Is Put to the Vote by the City Council

Greater Sudbury’s city council approved a motion this week to state that no formal agreements had been reached with partners to develop a casino and hotel in the Kingsway Entertainment District. Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier, someone who has been a vocal advocate for rendering more info on the city’s proposed event center, introduced the motion.

The 100 million  CAD event complex is intended to have a new hockey rink, a hotel, a casino, among other amenities. In addition, the site is currently being challenged in court, although the Minnow Lake Restoration Group has asked for provincial intervention.

Mr. Montpellier proposed a resolution at Tuesday’s council meeting to clear up the existing position of the KED event center. Numerous city officials, such as the integrity commissioner, and the project developer Dario Zulich, have all affirmed in public that there are no binding legal obligations for the hotel or the casino, according to the council member’s motion.

The councilman cited a mail he got from Robert Swayze as proof to back up his claim. Mr. Swayze acknowledged that no construction agreements had been made. Mr. Montpellier went on to implicate a council member of making use of an authoritative tone for claiming that such pledges exist and that the hotel and casino would open in a couple of years.

The councilor has also stated that the contradictory signals are causing confusion and concern among citizens. He proposed that the council make a public media notice informing the public that the only current construction agreement in place is for site preparation. He also called last week’s rumor of KED reaching a contract with Genesis Hospitality Inc. a delusion, saying it was all a ruse.

The councilman cited an email he got from Integrity Commissioner Robert Swayze as proof to back up his claim. Mr. Swayze acknowledged in the email that no construction agreements are in place. Mr. Montpellier has also implicated a council member in making use of an authoritative tone for claiming that such pledges exist and that the hotel and casino would open in two years.

The councilor has also stated that the contradictory signals are causing confusion and concern among citizens. He proposed that the council make a public media notice informing the public that the only current construction agreement in place is for site preparation. He also called last week’s rumor of KED reaching a contract with hotel operator Genesis Hospitality Inc. a delusion, saying it was all a ruse.

A group against KED, led by Hazel Ecclestone, Arthur Peach, Lionel Rudd, Patrick Crowe, Tom Price, and Evan Roberts, also submitted a letter to Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, towards the end of November. The alliance requests a comprehensive and impartial forensic examination of the City of Greater Sudbury’s affairs for its resolve to proceed with KED.