The City of Greater Sudbury is on the hunt for a management firm to oversee operations at its new event centre, which is expected to open in 2024.
Issuing a request for prequalification (RFPQ) on Nov. 1, the city said it’s seeking an “experienced firm that can provide input in the event centre’s final design, maximize revenue, minimize operating costs, increase venue programming, and work toward meeting the city’s goals as outlined in the Community Energy and Emissions (CEEP) Plan.”
The event centre – known in the community as the Kingsway Entertainment District (KED) – is a 5,800-seat multi-purpose facility that’s expected to serve as the home rink for the Sudbury Wolves hockey team, and host concerts, conferences, tradeshows, meetings, and other events.
It’s expected to be developed alongside a casino and a hotel, although full plans for the complex have not been finalized.
City council has backed development of the controversial project, which will be located on the city’s outskirts, about a 20-minute drive outside the city’s downtown core.
The firm selected for the management job will manage, operate, market and program events at the facility.
Interested applicants must have their RFPQ proposals submitted by Nov. 26. The city will then whittle applicants down to a shortlist, and the successful candidate is expected to be in place by early 2022.
The city said it’s already started site grading work, and is finalizing and issuing the design-build request for proposals (RFP).
Construction will begin upon completion of the final design, and the facility is expected to open at the end of 2024.
