By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo chamber to host debate on events centre proposal

Feb 22, 2017 | 5:13 PM

NANAIMO — A public debate has been scheduled for the divisive $80 million events centre proposal in Nanaimo.

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has announced the Yes and No sides will be presenting their stances and answering questions from the public on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

Chamber chief executive officer Kim Smythe said Chamber and community members approached their organization to host an event like this. He told NanaimoNewsNOW that there hasn’t been an opportunity for the public to hear engagement from those who want or don’t want the facility.

He said the Nanaimo Chamber has a proven track record of hosting these kinds of forums for elections.

“We realized that there was a demand in the community as such that we should step forward and present this independent forum,” Smythe said.

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He said doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and tables will be set up where people can find out the rationale why people are for or against the events centre proposal.

“People can come up and engage with folks there that are presenting either side of the argument, then we’ll work our way into the ballroom for 7:00, we have a stage set up, then we’ll have a classical debate.”

Smythe said a few details surrounding the format still need to be ironed out, including if individuals or groups of people will represent each side during the debate portion of the evening. He noted that a team of scrutineers will accept questions from the public, which will be vetted and then asked by a moderator.

“So that we don’t get repetitive questions and so we don’t get questions that make sense to those poised to answer them,” he said. “Taking the mic away from the audience also prevents people from making speeches instead of asking questions.”

Smythe said 45 minutes will be allotted for the debate and up to 45 minutes for the question and answer period.

He stressed that Chamber board of director Don Bonner, a vocal events centre critic and member of NoVote2017, will not be allowed to sit at the No table during the debate.

Smythe stated that his organization has not taken a position at this time on the events centre referendum. He said that the Chamber’s position will be revealed on March 11 after survey results from their members, to be garnered next week, come in.

A referendum scheduled for March 11 will ask voters if they approve of the City borrowing $80 million to publically fund the construction of a sports and entertainment facility that would be suitable for a WHL franchise.

NanaimoNewsNOW reached out to the City of Nanaimo late Wednesday afternoon for comment on the events centre debate, however, a response has not yet been issued.

ian.holmes@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @reporterholmes