Concerned about spending almost $30 million without support from higher levels of government, Sault Ste. Marie City Council voted tonight to postpone its decision about replacing our seriously-down-at-the-heels McMeeken Centre.
Councillors voted unanimously to defer the decision until budget deliberations, slated for about a month from now.
"We will make a decision on it this year," said Mayor Christian Provenzano, who suggested putting the vote off until tighter cost estimates can be obtained, including one for a single-pad arena instead of the proposed twin-pad design.
If the project goes ahead, the old McMeeken Centre would continue to operate for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, with demolition slated for 2022.
Construction would take 14 to 16 months.
The new twin-pad arena would open in September 2022.
SooToday will have further coverage of tonight's decision.