Big increase in Veledrome cost

A surprising big increase in the cost to build a Velodrome in Milton for the 2015 Pan-Am Games has some municipal leaders accusing game organizers of misleading the community.

Monday night, Milton Town Council watched a video showing what the new Velodrome will look like when it’s finished next year. The four-storey complex will contain a 250 metre Siberian spruce cycling track, with a central area where three basketball games can be played during a bike race. It includes a running track, cafe, and bike shops.
However, the cost is up from an original $40 million to $56 million, split between Ottawa, Ontario and Milton. While the project is praised by games officials and the mayor, Councilor Rick Malboeuf doesn’t like the cost increase. He said…

“Toronto 2015 and Sports Canada were well aware that the $40 million was not a true projected cost. We now know that the projected cost all along was really $50 million. Mr. Mayor, Sports Canada and Toronto 2015 knowingly misled our staff and this council on the true projected cost.”

Milton Mayor Gord Krantz responded…

“Because you will be wrong I dont know how much clearer I can say that that without emphasizing it.” “I think it’ll be a benefit in the long run, believe me, for this community.”

Ian Troop from the Toronto 2015 group said…

“When you look at this, it puts Milton on the map meets the needs of a growing community.”

The Mayor says the federal and provincial governments have agreed to pay the yearly operating costs that have increased from $500,000 to $736,000.