A North Kent councilor is calling for a referendum so Chatham-Kent residents can say yes or no to the proposed community hub.
A North Kent councilor is calling for a referendum so Chatham-Kent residents can say yes or no to the proposed community hub.
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Coun. Rhonda Jubenville entered a notice of motion Monday, to be voted on by council Oct. 21, to seek a report on how to proceed in the “most efficient and fiscally responsible” way with the process.
“Most of council have received a lot of feedback to the community hub. The people that I hear from are not necessarily in support of it,” she said after the council meeting.
“I just don’t feel like their voices are getting heard by council,” she added. “So, I feel it’s only fair that we have to provide a platform for them.”
If approved, the community hub proposal would see the Civic Centre, Chatham library and Chatham-Kent Museum move to the former Sears portion of the Downtown Chatham Centre.
Jubenville hopes for further details on how, or when, a referendum could take place, or if it could be conducted online.
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She also plans to move the municipality enact the buy-back provision of its deal to buy the former Sears property and renovate the current Civic Center instead.
Municipal clerk Judy Smith said Tuesday there has never been a referendum question on a Chatham-Kent ballot since amalgamation.
As for the legal requirements and potential cost, she said staff will look into the matter further, with details to follow in the report.
To date, there have been three public information sessions, attended by more than 300 people, and two online surveys via the Let’s Talk platform, each drawing more than 1,000 responses.
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There also have been three stakeholder engagement meetings, including representatives of the CK Public Library board and the accessibility, municipal museums and gallery advisory committees.
Chief administrator Michael Duben said after Monday’s meeting that a referendum would be complicated, given the project’s timeline.
“Referendums are only held contemporary with elections,” and the next one isn’t until fall 2026, he said. “It’ll become an issue, because we have certain contractual arrangements with respect to the Sears building.”
Mayor Darrin Canniff urged the public to look at the business case, saying it makes sense compared to renovating the existing Civic Centre.
Also Monday, council backed Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey’s motion to allow in-person deputations on an Oct. 21 report on whether to continue with the project.
“This is not the final decision point, but rather a decision to determine if the project will continue into Phase 3, which if approved, details finalization of the designs, tendering of costs, construction procurement, and pending final approval, the commencement of construction ,” municipal officials have said.
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