Sudbury's city council just gave the green light for a swanky new $200-million arena and events center in Downtown Sudbury. Dario Zulich, the big shot CEO of Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment says it's gonna be a game-changer.
"It's gonna shake things up downtown like you wouldn't believe," he told Sudbury.com. "We're talking major cleanup and a buzz that'll spread all over, from Elgin Street to Durham, Cedar, Larch — you name it."
Zulich is stoked about the surge of folks expected to flock downtown, making it the buzzing social heart of the city. He's convinced this project is the jumpstart needed for a fresh, new vibe in the historic core.
His company owns the Sudbury Wolves hockey team and the Sudbury Five basketball team, and they're all set to call the new arena home.
At the recent city council meeting, all 13 members gave the thumbs up for the new arena, which is set to be up and running by April 2028.
They toyed with the idea of sprucing up the old Sudbury Community Arena, but let's face it, that thing's pushing 70 and wouldn't cut it without a complete overhaul. Murray Beynon, the brain behind Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects, made it clear that renovating wouldn't meet the council's high expectations, unlike a shiny new build.
Zulich didn't hold back, saying folks in Sudbury haven't experienced top-notch arenas like he has elsewhere. The current arena just doesn't cut it with its lack of modern features and charm, which means fewer events and smaller crowds compared to what the new place will draw in.
"With a new arena, we're talking a whole new level of service that'll attract a different crowd," Zulich explained. "It's gonna be a game-changer."
Plus, with other businesses expected to sprout up nearby and a boost to the downtown economy, Zulich believes this project will be a total game-changer for Sudbury.
"This place is gonna be the talk of the town, setting the bar for arenas across the region," he boasted.
Jeff MacIntyre, co-chair of Downtown Sudbury BIA, agreed, saying the city council's decision is a major confidence boost for the area.
"It's like a signal to investors that downtown Sudbury is where it's at," he said. "We've got entrepreneurs eyeing up spots around the arena already."
Remember when they wanted to plop the arena out on The Kingsway back in 2017? Well, that plan got scrapped, and now all eyes are back on downtown. The city has already spent a pretty penny snagging properties and clearing space for this new venture.
Now, with developers sniffing around downtown again, MacIntyre is feeling hopeful. "We're getting calls, and folks are eager to get in on the action downtown," he said. Looks like Sudbury's in for a major revamp, folks!