The municipal elections being over, I was hoping to relax a little and enjoy the Christmas season. This delusion was short-lived, however, when I was jolted back to reality by the horrific spectacle presented to us on Page A7 of your Dec. 4 issue. I refer obviously to the ominous artist’s depiction of The Clarion building looming into the sky.
This style of architecture can only be described as Soviet Industrial 1954. It is absurdly unsuited to this town or indeed this age.
Let me say that I believe it is a good thing that the ground will finally be broken in the ugly vacant lot adjacent to the town hall.
It is a good thing that the policy of infill is being pursued in the centre of town. It is a good thing to have people living downtown. It is a good thing that developer Bill Katerenchuck is moving ahead in his dealings with the town. It may arguably be a good thing that the lifting of development charges was justified to make progress on the project.
But it is not a good thing to inflict this monstrosity on the citizens of Qualicum Beach who will continue paying taxes to allay the revenue given up in this deal.
It is not too late to modify the design elements of the project. This was successfully done at the College Inn site where initially an intrusive design was later abandoned in favour of the amenable three-part development now being built.
I ask Katerenchuck to please take another look at The Clarion and have a Merry Christmas.
Colm HartyQualicum Beach