The ribbon was cut Aug. 20 to mark the opening of the new industrial business park at the site of the Kingsway Employment District on the Kingsway at Levesque Street in the eastern part of Greater Sudbury.
It's where Waste Management will be setting up a new office building, equipment depot and maintenance facility for its Sudbury operations.
Landowner and developer Dario Zulich said the event was not so much a ribbon-cutting, but a formal red-tape-cutting event that marks the beginning of his vision to expand the Zulich operations in that part of Sudbury.
"For 18 years this project has been delayed and challenged,” Zulich said, referring to the years-long fight around the Kingsway Entertainment District (KED) arena project. “We faced issues with zoning and partnership issues and every kind of red tape you can imagine, but the vision has never wavered."
The KED land area is estimated at more than 100 acres, said one company official.
Zulich said the ribbon-cutting event was actually more than it seemed.
"It's not about cutting a ribbon. It's about finally cutting through the red tape, and this is red tape that's held back this region for so many years,” he said. “Some have called this project a road to nowhere, but I see it differently. I see what they can't see. I see a casino in a hotel with a conference centre, possibly with a water park. I see restaurants, gas stations and office buildings, restaurants and more hotels."
He sees the area as becoming a new economic zone to drive more growth in the city.
"I see an industrial park. I see industrial condominiums. I see a lot of jobs, and I see a lot of investment. And I don't think it's a road to nowhere. I think it's a road to our future," he said.
Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre welcomed the creation of a new industrial business park.
"These investments don't happen on their own. We need people that believe in Sudbury, people that believe in the future of Sudbury."
The city installed water and sewer upgrades in 2007 and 2009, an investment that's paying off with the creation of the industrial park.
Tracy Black, area vice-president of Waste Management, said her company was looking forward to the relocation and expansion of its Sudbury operation.
“This move will provide space for us to continue to grow, create employment opportunities, and reflects our continued investment in the Sudbury community,” Black said.
“For us, this has been a four-and-a-half-year journey to find a new home, so we're really appreciative of the support of both the city of Sudbury and Dario Zulich and his team to help us fulfill our journey."
Len Gillis is a reporter at Sudbury.com.
