City council should put off building a twin-pad arena and aquatics complex at Trent University until 2020, recommends a new city staff report, since a grant of $18 million promised by the previous Liberal provincial government isn't coming after all.

The money was going to be applied to the construction of a $54-million arena and aquatics complex planned for Trent University.

The facility on Pioneer Rd. was meant as a replacement for the aging Northcrest Arena, which will close as soon as the new arena opens.

Originally the city intended to build a twin-pad replacement arena, and then added the pool. But now the finances are in question.

On Monday, councillors will discuss the plan to delay building the complex until 2020, rather than starting in 2019.

The staff report says the withdrawal of the $18 million doesn't mean the provincial government won't ever provide funds for the project: the city has been encouraged to apply for grants "as funding becomes available," states the report.

In an interview in October, Peterborough-Kawartha Progressive Conservative MPP Dave Smith said he'll advocate for money for the much-needed project.

Smith said in October that the Liberals had announced the grant as part of their last budget - but the grant wasn't part of any particular funding program, so it wasn't actually available.

Yet Smith also said the city's need for ice pads cannot be disputed: Peterborough needs four more ice pads.

"That makes it a really easy sell for me, to the ministry," he said. "I would be outstandingly surprised if there wasn't money coming forward ... in the next budget cycle."

City councillors meet to discuss this item and others on the agenda at 6 p.m. Monday.

joelle.kovach@peterboroguhdaily.com