To the editor,
Re: Citizens express opposition to public works yard AAP, Jan. 31.
The suggestion that there isn’t a need for 10 bays at a fleet maintenance facility at the public works yard is short sighted. It may save a few dollars now but it will cause additional work in the future, at greater expense. It is suggested those opposed to the project get with the agenda, which is building this city so it is ready for the future.
A city with 200 vehicles needs a 10-bay garage. You don’t want fire trucks and snowplows waiting to be repaired due to a lack of bays. At the rate Nanaimo is growing, it is going to have to build for the future. If Nanaimo built the garage with fewer bays, in a few years it would be building an addition, if there was room. Building it now will be less expensive. At the rate new subdivisions are being built along with apartment buildings, Nanaimo will require its facilities to keep up. Nanaimo is up to the challenge. However, the support services need to be there. We need to keep in mind climate change will most likely provide new challenges. We don’t want a forest fire around the city, and having two fire trucks waiting for repairs because the garage at the works yard isn’t big enough.
Having lived in Greater Vancouver from 1951 until 2000, there was immense growth in all the cities in the area. It’s a good thing someone set aside land for work yards. Let’s hope Nanaimo does the same. Buying land today and into the future is going to be a very expensive endeavour.
E.A. Foster, Nanaimo
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Better process is needed for AAP
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