Mayor Brian Bowman's inner circle has approved the sale of the vacant Vimy Arena and property for the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.

"Very pleased that today we were able to have unanimous support,” said Mayor Brian Bowman.

The deal will see the province buy the land from the city for $1, in favour of a 50-bed men-only long term drug treatment centre that will rise on the site.

Scott Oake and his family are behind the project. Oake says the green space around the arena will remain.

"The men of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre will be good neighbours, they'll maintain the trails, they'll maintain the toboggan hill, they'll be contributing members of the neighbourhood,” said Oake.

Despite the assurances, opposition to the project is strong in the Crestview neighbourhood. Some area residents worry the public space will be taken over and recreation needs will suffer with the loss of the arena. Area councillor Shawn Dobson has been making it clear that he’s against to the proposal ever since it became public.

"Giving away a perfectly good building that is sound is wrong, we have an opportunity here to look toward the future," said Dobson.

Mayor Bowman feels the site is appropriate for the recovery centre, describing it as a health care project.

“If this were a hospital you know I think the local councillor would be very pleased to support a hospital,” said Bowman.

But in order to appease the concerns raised by area residents, councillor Scott Gillingham tabled amendments to the agreement. The key one — to ensure recreation space remains available in the area, $1.4 million dollars could be set aside next year. That’s equal to the assessed value of the Vimy Arena property.

“That in essence would be a way to make the community whole on recreation amenities,” said Gillingham.

The amendment also stipulates the community would be consulted on how the money should be spent.

The arena sale still requires a two thirds vote at city council next week. If approved then, a rezoning process is also mandated in the future.