Nanaimo residents have emphatically rejected a proposal to borrow $80 million to build a new waterfront event centre and arena. Preliminary results of the events centre referendum have been posted with 80% of voters voting no. Numbers released around 9 p.m. PT on Saturday show that 19,179 residents voted no, while 4706 voted yes. Eighty per cent of Nanaimo residents voted against a proposal to borrow $80 million for a new events centre and arena. Proponents say a new events centre could revitalize the city's waterfront and downtown by drawing marquee concerts to the city and a junior hockey team.

Source: CBC News March 12, 2017 06:00 UTC