The uncertain future of Moncton’s downtown arena project was the elephant in the room on Friday as Brian Gallant’s Liberal government announced a nearly $5-million infrastructure investment — in something else.
The New Brunswick premier was on-hand for the announcement for joint federal-provincial funding for road repairs in Dieppe, N.B., but made no mention of the arena and left without speaking to the media.
The former PC government pledged $25 million to the project and Ottawa has vowed to help, but the City of Moncton is waiting on a financial commitment from the current provincial government.
Still,, Finance Minister Roger Melanson says that doesn’t mean the project is off the table.
“As we look at this we want to assess based on economic benefits,” Melanson said.
“We are obviously in discussion with the City of Moncton. There's conversations ongoing but no final decision has been made,” he said.
The goal was to open the $100-million facility in September 2017.
While the designated site, the former Highfield Square location, is ready, the funds are not.
Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc has said the arena project is at a crucial stage, because construction deadlines are alreadybeing missed.
Moncton MP Robert Goguen said he is puzzled that the Gallant Liberals have not said whether they will honour the previous government’s pledge.
“The federal government is engaged in this. Nothing has changed. We found a way to finance this project,” Goguen said.
“There's a very solid business case for it. I mean, honestly, it's an economic no-brainer,” he said.
The federal government has agreed to help by covering the cost of some of the city’s infrastructure projects so that money could be rerouted to the arena.
“Greater Moncton is the economic engine of New Brunswick. From the point of view of tourism, from the point of view of retail, there's no downside to doing this project,” Goguen said.
With files from CTV’s Jonathan MacInnis
