The City of Windsor is moving forward with nearly $1-million in upgrades to the WFCU Centre despite some debate around the council table.
The upgrades include the construction of a media platform, an additional dressing room, new rink boards and glass, and parking flow improvements.
All of the improvements are being recommended for the 2017 Memorial Cup coming to the city in May. However, about a third of the costs are for general maintenance that would have been completed with or without the tournament. Other costs like the construction of the media platform will be able to be saved for potential future events.
Mayor Drew Dilkens said the tournament could have taken place without the improvements, but they are necessary to put the best face forward.
"I can't think of a better way to re-brand the city then to have the national media here for ten days playing and showcasing this community and our facilities to an audience that's all across Canada," said Dilkens.
Councillor Bill Marra, who voted in favour of the improvements, questioned why these costs were not brought forward when the bid for the tournament came before council.
"This wouldn't have changed my mind certainly at the time of the original conversation but I've got to believe given the extensive history we have as a community submitting bids, being familiar with Memorial Cup, that these items were likely on somebody's radar," said Marra.
Councillor Fred Francis criticized Marra for spreading negativity and cynicism in the community.
"As a rookie councillor that disconcerning to me when we're talking about a good news story. At the end of the day I learned a long time ago that you can't suck and blow. You can't be optimistic about an event and criticize it at the same time," said Francis.
The improvements were approved with a 10-1; Councillor Irek Kusmierczyk was the only nay vote.
