Events centre prep work costs set to hit $1 million
NANAIMO — Spending $1 million on preparations for Nanaimo’s events centre, even before the referendum, is simply part of due diligence, according to the city’s chief financial officer.
City staff are asking for council’s approval to pull $500,000 from reserves to pay for phase three and four of the events centre process. Council is expected to vote on the request at a Feb. 20 meeting.
Victor Mema says that money will go towards the referendum, which is estimated to cost $130,000, as well as public engagement, an architect and a project manager.
“The work we’re doing now is putting the city in a better position if this proceeds past the referendum, but it also provides some clarity to the public as we work through this now,” Mema said.