City Seeks Expressions Of Interest For Former Arena

The City of Saint John is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for the former Hilton Belyea Arena and surrounding property.

City council voted to close the arena in June 2020 as part of its long-term financial sustainability plan.

Documents released last week show the city will consider rental or lease options, or a complete purchase of the site.

Proponents can keep using the facilities on the site — which include the arena, a sports field, and a playground — or suggest a completely new use without them.

But those who want to keep using the arena “must demonstrate the detrimental financial impact” to other recreational facilities funded or operated by the city.

“A submitted EOI must demonstrate, if the arena on the Site is to continue to be used, that users will simply not transfer to the arena on the Site from other existing indoor recreational facilities, which the City operates or has an interest,” said the request for expressions of interest.

The documents note that Saint John has an over-supply of arenas, even with the closure of the Hilton Belyea.

Saint John’s Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan (PlaySJ) identified that the city should have 3.5 ice arenas. Not including TD Station nor continued use of the arena on the site, four ice arenas remain available.

“If there is an over-supply of indoor recreational facilities for the region’s demand, no matter which entity operates them, the “user” funding source is diminished, which creates a financially unsustainable situation,” said the documents.

In addition, no committed city taxpayer funds will be considered with any expressions of interest.

Expressions for the site will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 24.