To the editor,
Re: Council ends up choosing more expensive boathouse option, April 9.
Council’s decision to go against the finance committee’s recommendation and approve a motion to spend almost $11 million on a facility at Loudon Park, more than half of which is dedicated to indoor boat storage, makes no sense in our current economic situation, where costs for everything from food to concrete continue to rise. Even the big clubs at Jericho Beach in Vancouver do not have indoor boat storage. They have secure, covered outdoor compounds.
Most importantly, the footprint of this activity centre and boathouse will completely overwhelm the postage-stamp-sized park and push other users – families and teens who come to swim and picnic – to the outer fringes of the park. The mature fir trees that sequester carbon dioxide, and provide shade and wildlife habitat will be gone. Surely all users can agree that we have a very small space to share here at Loudon Park.
The alternate option recommended at the March finance meeting was a good compromise. Now council approves a plan that goes against at least two City of Nanaimo goals and drains reserve money. Fresh air, shade trees and open green space cost very little to maintain and allow people to enjoy the outdoors. What would Bill Loudon, a local hero who donated the land for Loudon Park, think? What will our children think as they look back in 10 years at the lost green space?
Lana Fitzpatrick, Nanaimo
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