The competition is on for the Waterloo Summit Centre. Huntsville town council has decided to issue a Request for Proposal on the building, and is stopping its talks with Accelerate Muskoka. The company was pursuing the centre, saying it wanted to use it as a place for start-up companies to grow. However, it let council know earlier this month it supported the decision to issue an RFP and that it will submit a bid.
Council had a lengthy discussion about the RFP in Monday night’s meeting, with each councilor talking about they want to see for the building. The overall theme is it can’t cost taxpayers any more money, whether it be in capital or operating costs. Some councilors suggested the offers should have long term and full time jobs as a priority, while others thought community engagement and driving the economy are important.
Mayor Scott Aitchison noted it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but the town’s purpose isn’t to fund itself; it’s to serve the community. He says it can do that by creating a place for sustainable job growth, where more and more people will move into town and create new economic activity. He also says he feels a moral obligation to at least consider the original intent of the building, which was higher learning and research.
Town staff says the RFP should be issued by the end of the week. Once that happens, everyone is welcome to submit their proposals as long as it meets the basic requirement that their idea won’t cost taxpayers anything. All of the bids that meet that requirement will then be weighted based on price, jobs, and the overall plan. The RFP will be open to those who want to lease or buy the centre.
The town will keep the RFP open for 60 days, and then bring submissions to September’s general committee meeting. The community should then have a final answer on what’s going to happen by the end of October.