Mayor Parrish supports the project, while Councillors Tedjo and Damerla voice concerns
Conference Centre by day, pickleball court by night? Have your say on the future of Mississauga’s downtown core during the coming months as the city moves forward with public consultations on the future of the Living Arts Centre precinct.
Mayor Carolyn Parrish made the offhand pickleball comment during a passionate discussion among councillors in late June.
The Mayor is strongly in favour of the “new vision,” which entails tearing down the Living Arts Centre and replacing it with a “new state-of-the-art music hub,” a convention centre and hotel, new office and rental housing development, a “Sky Park,” enhanced public realm and 1500-3000 underground parking spaces. However other councillors have concerns.
“We’re asking people, do you want a pony? And people will say, yes,” Councillor Alvin Tedjo said at one point during the meeting. Tedjo accused the Mayor and city staff of “blue-skying public discussion,” leaving too many options on the table, such as pickleball courts, which were never part of the original plan presented to council back in March.
Councillor Dipika Damerla has also been critical of the plan, arguing that a conference centre is not a good use of public money, especially when “as a region and as a city we are struggling to build basic infrastructure. We don’t have money to build storm water drains right now. We don’t have money to put in water main pipes right now.”
Both Tedjo and Damerla have registered to run for mayor against Parrish in this fall’s municipal elections.
The public will get to hear more about the proposed changes to the 12 acre downtown site and share their thoughts through a dedicated website with “explainer videos,” online polls and surveys, in-person pop-up booths at community centres, recreational facilities and libraries, and through targeted workshops/facilitated conversations (ie. focus groups). It is not yet confirmed when the public consultation process will commence.
The city will also consult with industry stakeholders as it builds a business case for the project. According to Visit Mississauga CEO Victoria Clarke, passenger demand at Pearson Airport is expected to hit 65 million in less than 10 years, representing a 30% increase over today’s numbers. Also, she told council, hotel occupancy in Mississauga this past spring reached 87.5%, suggesting Mississauga is “woefully under built for hotel stock.”
Both Visit Mississauga and Mississauga city staff see this proposed development project as “positioning downtown Mississauga as a regional destination for culture, tourism and economic activity.” Once the public and industry have been consulted, staff will return to council with a “What We Heard” report and advice on next steps.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? HAVE YOUR SAY!
Do you believe that taxpayer money should be spent on an extensive rebuild of the Living Arts Centre precinct? Or do you think those funds should be spent elsewhere? Whatever your views, we want to hear from you and may print your comments in an upcoming issue. Email us at info@mpulse.ca.
