THE REALITIES OF THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE RENOVATION

THE REALITIES OF THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE RENOVATION THIS NEWSPAPER WAS THE FIRST media outlet to break the story on massive renovations to the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC) that are due to be completed by late 2027. Our editorial, published the same day Mayor Carter and others gathered together to announce a $50 million investment into the TCC, raised concerns as to the costs involved and the lack of transparency in the negotiations leading up to council’s decision to undertake such an expenditure. We began by looking back to 1964, when residents came together to pay for the construction of the much-loved Civic Auditorium, with many fans donating a portion of their weekly paycheques to see their dream turn into reality. We also recalled that moment in 2006 when, once again, residents of Oshawa took great pride in welcoming the Generals to their first home game in what was then called the General Motors Centre. Built at a cost of at least $35 million, the downtown arena has never turned a profit in its almost 20 years of existence, requiring taxpayers to remain as loyal contributors year after year. Nevertheless, Oshawa Generals owner Rocco Tullio said in early 2023 that he was “done” negotiating with City Hall, and was ready to move the team to Pickering, saying at the time that any deal to keep the Gens in Oshawa would hinge on the City meeting a number of conditions. It appears those terms have been met. In a recent press release posted on the City’s website, the renovations are offered up as a necessary ‘modernization’ of the existing facility, including a main entrance expansion, interior alterations with seating for up to 7000 fans, and an updated concession area. The announcement goes on to say, “The $50 million modernization of the TCC will not impact the tax rate. It will be funded through various sources, such as the new Oshawa Generals and Oak View Group agreements, Municipal Accommodation Tax, and additional seat revenue.” What that statement doesn’t tell you is that one major debt is to quite simply be taken over by another. Forget the dribs and drabs of any additional seat revenue or the tax on hotel stays for just a moment. Consider; the current debenture (the debt issued by the City of Oshawa that relies entirely on their creditworthiness) for the TCC was due expire in November 2027…the date upon which the new debt for the proposed renovations will be issued. To say, at this stage, that the tax rate won’t be impacted is to be economical with the actualité. Interest rates alone are very unpredictable, not to mention cost overruns during construction. It is well known in political circles that once a municipal debt is paid off, something always comes in to fill the void, either by way of new spending, or the increased cost of maintaining services. Nevertheless, the announcement of a $50 million ice rink renovation couldn’t have come at a worse time for local taxpayers who were already saddled with a significant increase in the Mayor’s budget last autumn. Recent events both here and abroad have conspired to slow the economy, including a recent announcement of 700 layoffs at the General Motors production facility, either due simply to a temporary slump in sales, or the more sinister possibility of an eventual relocation south of the border. In the latest edition of Mayor Carter’s RealTalk podcast, a very open and frank discussion may be heard between the Mayor and Generals owner Rocco Tullio. The two men talk of a 30-year extension of the partnership recently negotiated between the City, the Oshawa Generals Hockey Club, and the operators of the TCC, being the Oak View Group. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation between the two men that readers may find interesting: ON BUYING & OWNING THE TEAM MR. TULLIO: “I wanted to prove to the fans that this was more than just a business for me; it was my passion. I wanted to restore the credibility of the Oshawa Generals. This isn’t a big money maker. I didn’t buy it to make money off of it; I did it because I wanted to give back in so many ways.” ON THE STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR PLAYERS MR. TULLIO: “I want to standardize things. We put our team in certain standards of hotels, and a quality of food, like last night after the game and every post-meal it’s been ribeye steak…we don’t just go and give them pizza. When they don’t perform well on the ice…you didn’t feed them properly, you didn’t ensure a good night’s sleep…then you expect them to perform at a high level.” ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE GENERALS TEAM MAYOR CARTER: “I’ve watched the evolution of your organization with you as an owner, and we’ve seen a small gym to a larger gym, an area that was a meeting area that is now a video review room where all the players are. We’ve seen an area for players so that they can have proper nutrition with a kitchen that has been put in. If we want the best out of people then we have to create an environment so they can be their best.” ON THE NEGOTIATIONS MR. TULLIO: “You (Mayor Carter) fight for what you believe is right for the city of Oshawa and we fight for what we think is right for the Oshawa Generals. At the end of the day, Dan, you championed this, and you put your money where your mouth is, and you delivered at the end of the day. We have to make sure we have all the resources and tools to be able to survive the longevity of what Junior Hockey is evolving into, and space was so critical for us. Kudos to you and the rest of council for recognizing that. We were able to find a happy medium for everybody.” That “happy medium” includes $50 million from the taxpayers of Oshawa. Kudos to you all.