Re: Waterfront site picked for new events centre, Jan. 26.
Well, the fix is in. Thank you, city, for wasting our time on community plans that I and my many neighbours took the time to plan with you. All the time and money to print maps and drafts that mean nothing six years later.
Neil SaundersNanaimo
Re: City takes next steps toward referendum, Jan. 19.
The city had the opportunity to raise the roof, so to speak, at Beban Park’s Frank Crane Arena in the past five or six years. At that time, the taxpayer shelled out for upgrades for ice-making technology, accessibility, new seating and a new Zamboni. They could have easily added 4,000 seats at that time with a much smaller portion coming from local taxpayers than proposed now at 1 Port Dr. Does that opportunity still exist, or is council hell-bent on destroying valuable waterfront property and increasing taxes in the process? I would encourage citizens to vote no as this project will do nothing in the way of making Nanaimo more affordable for young families or seniors or those living on reduced pensions. We really need to vote no, regroup as a city and consider other options. Areas like Beban Park and partnerships that reduce the final cost to the taxpayer, considering the scope and cost of this project, would be more fiscally prudent. A yes vote would be the point of no return and the go ahead of cost plus remediation and cost plus construction increases. The citizens of this community deserve quality infrastructure, recreational facilities and outdoor projects, not more debt incurred on the advice of paid salespeople and a select group on council.
Anthony ParkinNanaimo
Re: City takes next steps toward referendum, Jan. 19.
So now they are holding a referendum for an events centre, after more studies and more taxpayers’ money going down the toilet, and want it down near the harbourfront. You have that big white elephant of a conference centre sitting there being subsidized. Where are their priorities? It sure isn’t with a safe injection site for drug users. It took one council member to step up to the plate and now thankfully, more have come on board. It isn’t for low-cost housing as that doesn’t seem to be an issue except for those with low incomes or people on welfare.
That old A&B Sound building that has been sitting in the city for years and years, not in use. Why can’t the safe injection site be put there? I don’t know who owns it or if they are paying taxes on the property, but it’s an eyesore like it is now. What would it take to fix it up and put it in use? All that goes on at Nanaimo city hall is like a gong show and I hope the taxpayers think about it in the next election.
Theresa KowallLadysmith
I believe one of the clearest pieces of information to come from the Jan. 25 special meeting of Nanaimo city council was that the entire risk, financial and otherwise, associated with the proposed event centre will be borne by Nanaimo voters/taxpayers. That means if the project costs more than estimated for whatever reason, or if changes or additions are later made by council, Nanaimo taxpayers, one way or another, will shoulder the full burden.
Don WhiteNanaimo