The owners want out, and the city wants to fumigate.

The City of Sarnia is negotiating the purchase of the RBC Centre, with the intent to donate the facility in its entirety to another OHL franchise.

“People are sick of being stung,” said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley. “We have an infestation on our hands and once the worst team in the OHL flies out of the building at the beginning of the playoffs, we need to make sure they never enter again.”

The city is expecting to see a shortfall of $256,000 by the end of the year and it is estimated that it will cost $510,000 to continue operating both rinks at the arena. Bradley says he is anxious to see the arena given to a city or hockey club that might use it productively.

“Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,” said Sarnia Sting coach Trevor Letowski.

City council plans to consult the public in 2014 after acquiring the arena, seeking input before ultimately deciding on who to give the arena to.

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