Council should approve skating rink, development

The Sandpoint City Council on Wednesday has a dilemma on its agenda.

The city fathers and mothers are addressing whether Sandpoint will be home to the Jamie Packer Centre.

If you haven’t heard, the centre would house an ice arena, volleyball and basketball courts, meeting rooms, housing, commercial property and will address the downtown parking problems with a parking garage.

In addition, plans call to save the old Catholic church as well as the grain elevator in and around Church Street.

This proposal shouldn’t be confused with a somewhat similar plan floated in 2005. That plan was fatally flawed because it called for public tax money to make it go. Even with that, nearly 5,000 people signed a petition in favor of the center.

The Packer Centre has to pay for itself without a formation of a tax district.

It would be our hope the city leaders will look at the many benefits this facility will bring to the area.

This is a dynamic departure for the western edge of Sandpoint’s downtown core so extreme planning and consultation has to take place.

We are glad to see Sean Fitzpatrick of CTA has his touch on the project. The co-generation of steam heat, the green roof concept and the seamless mixture of commerce and residents, show to us Fitzpatrick and ownership have the city’s best interests at heart.

So what is the dilemma?

In our opinion, the fact that this project fits the comprehensive plan and has gained widespread support tips the scale in favor of this proposal.

Our city leaders, after asking questions and investigating the proposal, have to decide whether Sandpoint is going to continue to evolve as a town that attracts people and businesses, or is it going to live down to its reputation as a town that is anti-business?

Whether the anti-business reputation of this City Council is deserved or not is a debate many are having right now.

It’s our hope the downtown Jamie Packer Centre will get the green light to move forward Wednesday night.

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.