Funding options brought forward to city council on Friday will determine whether or not the Edmonton Indy will roar back to life.
Members of the business community stepped forward and creative ways to save taxpayers’ money were drafted up Monday behind closed doors.
“If it fits together within that $5.5 million package, and the people with that say they can bring dollars to the table and do a few things, I think it has a chance at being very favourable,” said Ed Gibbons, Ward 4 councillor.
The city agreed to contribute $5.5 million over a three-year contract as well as $1.5 million in soft services such as police, transit and fire, but couldn’t come to terms with Octane regarding the $3 million cost of moving the track at the City Centre Airport.
“I think there’s every reason to believe that it’s possible,” said Ward 8 Coun. Ben Henderson on the potential comeback. “The question is cost, that was the only impediment.”
Gibbons said that it took playing hardball to find out how many people in the city really care about the Indy. “But they’ve got to sign on the dotted line that they’ve got that kind of money.”
