Two Steinbach city councillors says it's best that a performing arts centre be built downtown and that a large spectator arena and other recreation facilities be built elsewhere. Cari Penner and Michael Zwaagstra were among the majority of councillors who last week voted to drop the concept of one large multiplex, to proceed with an arts centre downtown and to look for land elsewhere for a new arena. Penner says there are many positive synergies to having a performing arts centre near other city facilities downtown.

"We already have many uses downtown. We have the curling rink and we have the current (Centennial) arena and the T.G.Smith Arena as well, so that can be very much enhanced by a performing arts centre. And, we have already

Cari Penner begun a huge project and invested a lot of money downtown with the re-development of Elmdale Street, making it very comfortable community space. So We feel the performing arts centre is a great fit."

Zwaagstra agrees and says he is not worried about developing enough parking for an arts centre.

"We're confident that we can have sufficient parking for the performing arts centre to go in the downtown location."

Zwaagstra adds a spectator arena requires a lot of parking and says that is simply not workable downtown.

"A new arena does not fit downtown. It belongs in a different location. A new arena belongs in a space where there's sufficient parking, where there's the opportunity for expansion and that's not in the downtown."

Penner notes a large space for an arena would also be appropriate for other components that would fit in well at the same location.

As for the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce request that city council still produce a master plan for recreation and cultural facilities, both councillors say it would be futile. Zwaagstra there's no sense preparing another plan because the conclusion would be the same.

MIchael Zwaagstra"We have several master plans that have been completed over the last five and-a-half years. One thing that these plans showed, whether it was the MNP report or the Stantec report, is that the total cost of all under one roof is in the range of $70 to $100 million. Those are numbers that are just not feasible for a city the size of Steinbach. So the resolution that was passed last week sets forward a plan for recreation in the city that does things in a way that are more affordable and looks at one component at a time in a way that is actually feasible."

Both councillors say they now look forward to attracting provincial and federal funding for the arts centre and then seeking out a suitable site for a spectator arena.