Group launches effort to force DEED referendum
The clock is about to start on an attempt to force a vote on the Downtown Event and Entertainment District. Efforts to press for a referendum officially launched Tuesday.
A former Saskatoon arena manager has launched a campaign to force a referendum on the proposed Downtown Event and Entertainment District (DEED). Ken Wood and his team of 100 volunteers aim to collect 26,615 signatures, or 10 per cent of eligible voters, within 90 days to stop the $1.2 billion project. Wood argues that tax dollars should not be used for the estimated project, stating that it is not priority infrastructure and does not serve the needs of most citizens.
If the petitioners succeed, the city council would be required to hold a referendum within nine months. Wood has expressed concerns over the financing of the project, which is currently planned to be fully funded by debt and seen as an extravagant amenity. The city hopes that provincial and federal governments will help fund the project, but Ottawa has yet to commit. City council has assured that the municipal portion of the funding will not affect property taxes.
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