The distinguished businessman spoke to CBC News from Toronto on Tuesday, the day after city councilors postponed the decision to proceed with the naming agreement of the DP Murphy Wellness Center. They will then discuss it on April 25. Murphy said his offer of $ 50,000 a year to be paid for five years for 15 years of naming rights was meant with one thing in mind: the children who will use the facility. “We will focus on mental health and children no matter what happens,” he said on Tuesday. “It has always been our intention … just to have the students’ mental health and programs in a facility that is up-to-date, so that all children have the opportunity to feel good about themselves.” For the rest, he said, “I will let the city decide.”

Politics and legality

The decision is indeed out of his hands now – in more ways than one. In other news this week, Jack Simmonds and Kali Simmonds have notified Prince Edward Island Court of Appeals that they want a judicial review of the city’s March 10 decision to grant “name and other rights” to the new gym. Both petitioners are from a branch of the Simmons family that uses a D in the name. They say the family was not informed that the new arena would not retain the Simmons name until it went to the polls and passed that day in March – although the town had been in discussions with Murphy for months. Jack Simonts and another relative who donated 44 acres of land in Charlottetown in the 1970s are seeking a judicial review of a council decision to accept money for the arena’s renaming rights. (Kirk Pennell / CBC)
Jack Simmons says he is the oldest living relative of Frank and Ethel Simmons, who donated 44 acres of land to the Simmons Sports Center in Charlottetown in the early 1970s. “It would remain in perpetuity.” Among other things, the court documents state that by agreeing to the renaming agreement, the city:

“He violated the rules of natural justice and the duty of justice.” It failed to follow its own procedures of its statutes “respecting the fair procedure, the conflict of interests, the code of conduct and the requirements of common law”. He acted in a way that “would cause disruption to the applicant’s business activities and corresponding financial loss and reduction of the value of the applicant’s real estate”.

Charity vs. charity

Murphy is one of the most famous businessmen of the island. In addition to operating the Tim Hortons, Wendy’s and Boston Pizza franchises in the county, DP Murphy Incorporated owns several hotels and Leon’s Furniture in Charlottetown. Five years ago, Murphy funded a new $ 250,000 gym at Colonel Gray High School. The family also donated money to name their father at the UPEI student center. The Simmons Sports Center in Charlottetown is set to be replaced due to its older structure and equipment. (Laura Meader / CBC)
Murphy grew up in the area around Simmons Sports Center and says he and his wife are committed to supporting the island’s youth. Jack Simonts points out that Colonel Gray High School is now on land donated decades ago by members of his family. The same goes for a local church. As of this week, more than 2,000 people have signed up to keep the Simmons name at the new sports center. “I can not say they were the original philanthropists, but they certainly were philanthropists,” Simmonds says of his ancestors. “This was their land. I’m not sure how much you would pay for it today, but I’ve heard it in the $ 10 million range. “This is not comparable to what Mr Murphy has to offer.”