To the Editor,
Re: Centre designed to establish new paddling district, May 13.
Before the moving van has even left Nanaimo Centre Stage, I see on your front page where the president of Centre for the Arts Nanaimo is eagerly awaiting support from the city to help move ahead plans for a $5.1-million boathouse and paddling centre on city-owned land at Brechin Point.
I read with interest, when built the boathouse society would turn the facility over to the city for ownership and maintenance and hopes taxpayer money will then be given to a non-profit group to manage the facility. Your article says the centre would cost a whopping $200,000 a year to operate.
If the proposed boathouse is such a good idea, it should be easy for proponents to raise the money privately. Fundraise, buy some land, build the facility and manage it on your own like any good business man or woman would.
I hope the boathouse folk are not banking on being handed huge amounts of taxpayer cash to fulfill their dream.
Kevan ShawNanaimo