Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your Monday.
Downtown arena en route for slip to ‘poor’ condition by next year
Although a unanimous vote of city council opted to build a brand new $200-million events centre instead of renovating the Sudbury Community Arena, the debate continues. At least, in some corners of the community. A Change.org petition launched by community member Matthew Del Papa argues against the expense, as he says the existing arena is just fine. Is it, though? A report by Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects, commissioned by the city, definitively clarified that a new build is the way to go in order to hit the goals set out by city council, including its ability to attract larger events, but what about those who argue that the status quo arena is just fine? Will the 73-year-old Sudbury Community Arena continue to hold up? Sudbury.com compiled several municipal reports to help answer this question. A detailed condition assessment was released last year, which evaluated the building as being in an overall “fair” condition in 2023, but slated to drop to “poor” by 2025, and “very poor” by 2030. That is, without additional investment.
Opposition takes shape after $200M events centre greenlit
Opposition to the $200-million arena/events centre which city council greenlit on April 16 has begun forming. A petition on change.org was published by community member Matthew Del Papa in opposition to the project, while Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc told Sudbury.com he plans to table a motion on April 30 calling for a referendum in the 2026 civic election. “Not everyone is on board with their grandiose plans,” Del Papa told Sudbury.com. “We all know the old city core is the tail that wags the dog,” he added. “It gets enormous infusions of municipal funding while the outlying regions are left to wither and die.” Born and raised in Capreol, Del Papa said he has seen decades of preferential treatment assigned to Downtown Sudbury, and describes city council’s dreams as being “bigger than its wallet.”
Man in company truck arrested for impaired driving
A Wahnapitae man accused of driving while impaired in a company truck was arrested in Elliot Lake April 19. At around 12:45 a.m. April 19, the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was conducting general traffic patrol duties on Mississauga Avenue. A construction company grey pick-up truck was stopped for a traffic infraction when police detected an odour of alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver's breath. A roadside test was completed and as a result, the driver was arrested and the vehicle was towed and impounded.
Sudbury man among 4 arrested in Wiki drug bust
Four people, including a Sudbury man, have been arrested and charged with drug and weapons-related offences after a search warrant was executed in Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. Shortly after 5 p.m. April 17, a search warrant was conducted at a residence on Kaboni Road. The search was conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) with the assistance of the North East Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), North East Region Canine Unit, Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS), and the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin Anishnaabe Police (UCCM Police). Police arrested four people at the residence and located more than 35 grams of suspected fentanyl, more than three grams of suspected cocaine and more than three grams of suspected crack cocaine. Police also located firearms, ammunition and more than $12,000 in Canadian currency.
GSPS has met Renfrew femicide coroner's inquest recommendations
Although Greater Sudbury Police Service has met the expectations of 86 recommendations in a 2022 intimate partner violence inquest, there’s still work to do. So described Det.-Sgt. Lee Rinaldi during last week’s police board meeting, at which he presented on how GSPS measured up against recommendations stemming from a coroner’s jury inquest in response to a 2015 triple homicide in Renfrew County. “I believe that GSPS is currently operating within the framework of these recommendations, and has addressed and met the identified issues that fall within our scope of influence,” he told the board, adding that they’re doing everything they can to prevent a similar such tragedy. However, he later clarified that strengthening partnerships with other organizations in Greater Sudbury and improving public education will remain key points to develop. Further, he said that ensuring there are enough emergency shelter beds available and affordable housing in place to accommodate victims of intimate-partner violence will remain an important area for improvement.
‘Generosity and caring’: Greater Sudbury presents Civic Awards
Community volunteers whose “generosity and caring nature are what helps maintain the strong fabric that holds our community together” were honoured at the annual Greater Sudbury Civic Awards ceremony April 18. The event was hosted by Cindy Dent, Greater Sudbury’s city manager of recreation services, who told those in attendance the night is a favourite celebration for staff of leisure services. “We are privileged to recognize community volunteers who go above and beyond to make our community such a better place,” said Dent at the ceremony. “Every day we see the work being done by our volunteers and our community. Whether the contributions come from an individual or group, your collective generosity and caring nature are what helps maintain the strong fabric that holds our community together.”
