The Mayor of St. Catharines has responded to a decision by the owners of the Niagara IceDogs to withdraw a $1 million dollar donation to the Meridian Centre.
Walter Sendzik has issued a media release apologizing to Bill and Denise Burke and thanking" them for their continued support of community events and the revitalization of downtown.
Below is the full statement from Mayor Sendzik:
"It was recently brought to this Council’s attention that a legal agreement to conclude the 2014 direction of the previous City Council to receive a $1 million donation by Bill and Denise Burke to the Meridian Centre with street naming rights was not completed.
Due to delays and difficulties in concluding a legal agreement with the City, the Burke’s have decided to withdraw their donation. I am disappointed but I respect their decision.
I am further disappointed that this agreement is incomplete and donation withdrawn because the street signage which was agreed to, was erected prior to appropriate agreements being prepared and signed. While done in good faith, this is not how we do business at the City of St. Catharines.
The circumstances which led to the delay and ultimate withdrawal of the Burke’s donation will be reviewed and resolved internally. Council has directed my office to reach out to the Burke family to reconsider, which I will do.
Publicly, on behalf of City Council, I’d like to apologize to Bill and Denise Burke for the difficultly and frustration this has created. I’d also like to say thank you for investing in St. Catharines and for your continued support of community events, local businesses, and for your commitment to the revitalization of downtown St. Catharines. The IceDogs are important to the City and a great source of pride to the community. We look forward to your continued support as active and engaged members of the business community."