Re: Waterfront vision might take time, Opinion, April 11.
The emphasis so far seems to be on creating a draw for tourists and out-of-towners and their dollars (see events centre and also the convention centre).
I propose that the city should instead consider providing infrastructure to serve the growing needs of this community. The site would be an ideal place to install a combined art gallery, concert hall (approximately 300 seats), museum and First Nations exhibition. It would be a wonderful communal gathering place with only modest parking requirements. It would allow for unique architectural expression and would be an added attraction for tourists. The current museum could finally occupy a properly designed space; a concert hall (not a theatre) would provide a much-needed performance space for community groups and visiting ensembles that find the Port Theatre inappropriate to their needs. Were this to be a European city, with such a waterfront space, the project would be a ‘no-brainer.’
Bruce Farquharson, Nanaimo