Mr. LaRocque is entitled to his opinion of course (The News, April 5), but I’m hoping he may rethink some of it.
True, we are “surrounded by parks,” but if you are a senior citizen with no car, confined to a wheelchair or otherwise transportation- challenged, parks, even though they may be only a few kilometers away, are not accessible to us.
Parks in town — especially on Parksville Bay — are more easily reached and enjoyed.
Not everyone has a car and many of our local parks may not be accessible to those who must rely on public transportation.
City parks, however, serve another vital but often not thought of need; that is they allow rainwater to soak into the ground and thereby help replenish the aquifers, which are so vital to our water supply.
He talks about something “modern and exciting” for that “cornerstone property” and I’m assuming he means 161 Island Highway.
However the city gets almost twice the taxes from tourist/commercial property as it does residential property.
What, exactly, does he mean by modern and exciting?
When was the last time you were excited about residential buildings — especially an enclave for the wealthy?
He claims building on this property will generate “interest, focus and activities for our residents both young and old.”
How on Earth will it do that? These residents will be for the wealthy.
Does anyone really believe the rest of us will be invited to their barbeques or cocktail parties?
As for activities for the young; maybe some of them will be hired to mow their lawns!
Boutiques and restaurants are good, but there is plenty of space downtown on the south side of the Island Highway. It just, somehow, needs to be made more attractive.
He implies that seniors have no stake in the future of the city.
I disagree.
I’m a senior citizen and I am very much interested in what sort of a community we leave for our children and grandchildren, and on top of the list are parks and play areas.
Perhaps he hasn’t been down to the community beach on a sunny summer day to see all the activity in the Lions’ play area.
If you imagine Parksville without the waterfront and the beach, what is there to entice people to come and spend time and money in our area?
Light industry would be great.
Perhaps he could focus on that and not on more residences on the waterfront which so far has done very little, if anything to boost the economy.
Where is the boom the Beach Club has generated, or all that development in Maple Glen?
J.M. Barry
Parksville