To the Editor,
Re: Exercise costs prohibitive, Letters, March 14.
The City of Nanaimo appears to want to continue with another random decision, affecting citizens whom the city and its programs were intended to serve.
In 2011, the pool and weight room at Beban Park offered recreational time Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The cost of this opportunity for fitness was $2 per person.
In 2012, the cost increased to $3 per person – a bit of a surprise. The result of this, however, was the regular attendance of a group of people, both in the pool and the weight room, who were committed to personal health and subsequently, over this time, developed a warm and caring camaraderie.
Now, in 2013, this previously well considered and effective situation, having brought great results with its time and cost considerations, has suddenly been removed. Rates have increased to $5-$6.50, depending upon your age.
It appears the legacy of certain decisions in Nanaimo is to play around with things that are working for no apparent reason.
Now, Thursday will be at a $3 rate, all day. That does nothing to develop a fitness regimen. There are approximately 95 hours available weekly at Beban for recreational use. Could city administrators not have left the previous 4.5 hours per week, as mentioned above, as it was and added the new Thursday schedule?
If you want to serve those who use the facilities – the taxpayers and citizens – ask them for their opinion. If not, just keep doing what you have just done.
This methodology presumes the citizenry is here to serve the city.
What a legacy. What a shame.
R.J. Higgins
Nanaimo