Kitchener-Waterloo

Council looking at Cambridge Centre Mall as possible site for multiplex

Cambridge city council will continue to discussions Monday on where the Cambridge multiplex will be located. The Cambridge Centre Mall has been added to the list of top possible locations for the sports facility.

'Number one' potential site but too small to host entire proposed multiplex complex

Cambridge city council doesn't know where it will put the sports multiplex, but have added another location onto the list of top potential locations. (City of Cambridge)

Cambridge city council will continue their discussions on the Cambridge Multiplex at a council meeting Monday night, as they are now looking to add the Cambridge Centre Mall to the list of possible sites.

The venue came under consideration after it was announced that the Sears store in the mall would be closing, Doug Craig, Mayor for the City of Cambridge told CBC News.

Once Sears did close, city staff received a letter from the owners of the Cambridge Centre Mall expressing their interest.

However, the Cambridge Centre Mall is not large enough to host the entire proposed complex so it would have to be split between the shopping centre and another location.

"The gyms and the ice pads would be at the Cambridge Centre, if in fact we do go in that direction, and the aquatics would be in a different place in Cambridge," Craig said.

Craig added they are looking at Conestoga College as possible second location.

"In order for the City of Cambridge to afford a 50-metre pool, a very large capital and operating expense, we need to find partnerships and we believe that the college area might be the best opportunity," he said.

The taskforce ranked six locations based on certain criteria. 1001 Franklin Blvd. was removed from the list because it is already leased to a company that runs a sports facility, including ice pads. (Report to council)

Top of the list

Craig said that the Cambridge Centre Mall has made it to the top of his list, as it's a central location, has access to the bus terminal – two major things the public wants – and it will also support the businesses in and around the mall.

"The majority of councillors I have spoken to are in favour of the Cambridge Centre Mall," he said.

"Everywhere I go in Cambridge, the public is telling me that would like that as an option. That looks like the number one running site."