As discussions continue over exactly what features should be included in Cambridge’s new sportsplex, one councillor says the location should be up for debate as well.
“I think it would be good if we could make this as accessible to Cambridge residents as possible,” Coun. Nicholas Ermeta said Wednesday.
The sportsplex is planned to be built as a partnership between the city and Conestoga College, on college-owned land south of Highway 401 – and thus within Cambridge’s municipal boundaries.
Ermeta says he’s heard from residents “infuriated” with the city’s plan – not because they don’t want the sportsplex, but because they don’t want it on the edge of their city.
“They want to find a site that’s more central,” he said.
He’s hoping to convince his fellow councillors to take another look at the location, and move the sportsplex to Riverside Park instead.
He says the park also has access to the 401 going for it, as well as its location along Waterloo Region’s central transit corridor, but would also be closer to many Cambridge residents.
Speaking to CTV News, Coun. Frank Monteiro called Ermeta’s comments “very irresponsible,” given councillors voted last year to approve the Conestoga College location.
“A lot of people don’t agree with the location, but the location (has) already passed,” he said.
“It’s a done deal.”
Monteiro also says Ermeta was part of the majority of councillors who previously voted never to build anything at Riverside Park, due to it being a floodplain.
Even if councillors don’t take another look at the location of the sportsplex, they do still have some decisions to make about the facility.
Among them are whether it will include two or four ice rinks – a decision that could make a difference of about $25 million to the project’s tag – and whether the pool should be 25 or 50 metres long.
Monteiro says he’s “leaning toward” the four-rink option, particularly because three city arenas are slated for closure in the coming years.
