The idea of a multiplex in Steinbach is dead. City council has spent the past five and-a-half years getting input and developing plans for a large facility that would include recreational and cultural facilities at one location and was in the final stages of coming up with a master plan. City councillor Susan Penner introduced a resolution under new business at the end of the city council meeting Tuesday evening saying it's time to drop the concept.

"And the bottom line is a city of our size, with the tax revenue we generate, can simply not afford these $100 million or $70 million multiplex plans."

Penner's resolution says the city should go ahead with a performing arts centre downtown, conditional on getting private and government funding toward the project. The resolution also has the city looking for land elsewhere for a large arena and events centre at some point in the future and continuing to set aside funds in the recreation reserve fund.

Councillor Michael Zwaagstra seconded the motion.

"When we consider that the city takes in $13 million in tax revenue every year, a large multiplex in the range of $100 million, as has been proposed in a study, that is just simply not feasible for a city our size even if we got two-thirds funding from other levels of government, which we know is extremely unlikely to happen. So instead, we're setting a direction that's clear."

Councillor Jac Siemens likes the idea of a multiplex but adds it did not make financial sense.

"I think it's time for the city to change direction. I know it won't necessarily be a popular decision. I can see the big picture of it (a multiplex) happening. I just haven't been able to see a financial road map on how to get there without putting our community at risk."

Council voted 5-2 in favour of the motion with Mayor Chris Goertzen and Deputy Mayor John Fehr opposed.



In a passionate address to council Goertzen said he is disappointed in the resolution because they were months away from finalizing a master plan for recreation and cultural facilities.

"I really feel as though we can see the finish line just ahead, of our planning process, and we're abandoning it."

He adds the timing is terrible because large government grants will soon be available for projects like this.

"We have a federal government that is ready to invest in the social infrastructure that we're talking about here, the meeting places that we're trying to create for our city. We have a government that is just ready to pour millions and billions of dollars into this and we're limiting what we can even ask for. We have private contributors that are desperate to see just a master plan, show us that master plan, and we're almost there. And, if they see that master plan, they tell me, and I believe them, that they will invest. I think we're missing the mark on that."

Fehr calls it a sad day.

"It saddens me a little bit because it's kind of the death of a dream in a way. I don't think we're doing ourselves any justice by limiting the scope of the project."

But the majority of council decided that, with an annual tax income of $13 million, the city cannot afford a large complex even if the senior levels of government were to pay for two-thirds of it.