1947 replies to this topic

[sdwright.vic]

This is just an attempt to take more parking away at Royal Athletic. they know they won't get the school space.

[spanky123]

I just don't understand how the current location is a net loss of green space, when the old building will be torn down and turned into green space?

 

If the Mayor and council simply asked staff to take a budget, consult with community and propose solutions for replacing Crystal Pool then we would likely already have a new pool. Other towns and cities seem to be able to accomplish that feat on a fairly regular basis. My observation is that that doesn't happen. Instead, the attitude seems to be that if we ask people their opinion then it will take too long so we are better to just try and ram through what we think is best and what appeases the greatest number of our supporters. The City then wastes million of dollars, which they are pulling out of the reserves we are supposed to be setting aside to replace mundane things like water and sewage pipes and roads, and we get nothing in return.

Edited by spanky123, 04 May 2019 - 08:01 AM.

[spanky123]

This is just an attempt to take more parking away at Royal Athletic. they know they won't get the school space.

 

As much as I think the Mayor would be happy to get rid of the parking at RAP, I don't think that she is willing to take on the Harbourcat owners.

[Nparker]

This is just an attempt to take more parking away at Royal Athletic. they know they won't get the school space.

Not that anyone is offering to pay for a new pool, so the point is moot, but anything built at RAP has to come with an underground parking component or an above ground parking structure.

[spanky123]

Not that anyone is offering to pay for a new pool, so the point is moot, but anything built at RAP has to come with an underground parking component or an above ground parking structure.

 

According to the Mayor, the plan is to go to referendum in February if they need to have an election for a new councilor.  

[Nparker]

I'd really like to know how even the most indoctrinated SJW thinks a city as small as Victoria can afford to pay for a $70 million (+) recreation centre while contemplating something as ridiculously expensive as "free" bus service (and a host of other feel good projects). I get that the vast majority of those who voted for this council have little-to-no grasp of how municipal funding works (including those who were elected), but you'd think at least some of them could do basic math and see that the proposed bills are really starting to add up.

[aastra]

What Victoria really needs is an extended period of prosperity, like from an intense development boom or something. Maybe combined with solid population growth. Unfortunately, until something like that happens the city will always be in financial crisis mode.

[Nparker]

What Victoria really needs is an extended period of prosperity, like from an intense development boom or something. Maybe combined with solid population growth. Unfortunately, until something like that happens the city will always be in financial crisis mode.

So please explain to me why my property taxes keep going up.

[Victoria Watcher]

well to start with the city union membership gets 2% more per year. plus some employees will climb to higher salary levels. retiring workers receive a strong pension. and all workers are receiving more benefits than ever. and the city keeps adding more workers.

so that’s part of it.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 May 2019 - 09:32 AM.

[aastra]

I'm not challenging your circumstances. I'm sipping coffee on Saturday morning and exposing the crisis narratives. Victoria city is the same physical size today that it ever was. It has many more people (also known as taxpayers) now than it ever did. One moment we're griping about construction everywhere and the next moment we're saying the city has no money. One moment we're griping about overtourism and hundreds of cruise ship visits per year and the next moment we're saying the city has no money.

 

The existing Crystal Pool is a big facility, comparable in size to the one they want to build today. How in the heck did the Victoria of the late 1960s manage to plan and pull that off? On top of everything else that they were doing at the time?

 

Victorians will go to other places and marvel at the streets paved with gold, even though most of those other places haven't enjoyed a 21st-century boom anything like the one that Victoria has enjoyed.

 

I have to wonder, what would it take to produce good times in Victoria? Is it even possible?

Edited by aastra, 04 May 2019 - 09:52 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

I have to wonder, what would it take to produce good times in Victoria? Is it even possible?

a casino!

[Nparker]

 

I have to wonder, what would it take to produce good times in Victoria? Is it even possible?

8/9 people leaving the current council

Edited by Nparker, 07 May 2019 - 02:34 PM.

[On the Level]

What type of low income housing does council want as part of the pool? If it's low barrier then that will be interesting to see how that works mixing it with school children.

[Midnightly]

What type of low income housing does council want as part of the pool? If it's low barrier then that will be interesting to see how that works mixing it with school children.

 

could the housing aspect even still remain as part of the design if the pool were to magically steal the field of the school? that aspect seems to come and go as part of the design (i don't think i've seen a drawing that would include that part

 

 

i think it should just stick to the original plan and be built behind the current pool...and then once the new one is build tear down the old remodel the park and add in an outdoor water park...

[Jacques Cadé]

Message today from the North Park Neighbourhood Association:

 

City agrees to multi-stakeholder meeting, postpones talks about alternate sites for pool

Last Thursday we were informed by City Hall that efforts to locate the new Crystal Pool on the arena parking lot (city-owned land managed by RG Properties) had failed. And we were told that Council will receive a staff report at this Thursday's Council Meeting that recommends two alternate sites: Royal Athletic Parking lot and Central Middle School playing field.

A group response was provided to the Mayor on Sunday, representing the North Park, Hillside/Quadra, Downtown and Fernwood neighbourhood associations, as well as the George Jay Parents Advisory Committee. This response (pasted below) asked the City to delay discussions about these two alternate sites for two weeks, and instead convene a meeting of a wide range of stakeholders.

Yesterday the Mayor agreed to these requests and the stakeholder meeting is being scheduled. Have thoughts about any of this? Please email Mayor and Council and consider cc'ing us on your correspondence.

OUR GROUP MESSAGE TO COUNCIL - May 6, 2019

1. At $80 million, the Crystal Pool replacement project is the most significant capital investment in community services and livability we will make for generations to come. We are concerned that moving the pool facility out of walking distance from the lowest income and most underserved residents of our city (Hillside/Quadra, Burnside Gorge, North Park) - will remove the bulk of the social good that needs to come from this massive investment. We ask that an equity approach be paramount in determining the best site and amenities for this project.
    
2. We ask the City to postpone discussions about the Central Middle School site for two weeks. In the interim we ask the City to call a stakeholder meeting that would include Senior Staff and community organizations such as the neighbourhood associations, community centres, the YM/YWCA, swim club leaders, SD61 staff and Parent Advisory Committees.
    
3. The Downtown, Hillside/Quadra, North Park and Fernwood neighbourhood associations, as well as the George Jay Parents Advisory Council, are concerned that we have not been given the opportunity to be involved in any discussions about the Crystal Pool since last fall, and only found out about the City’s new preferred site at Central Middle School a few days ago. 
    
4. It is vital that the new facility continues to be easily accessible by foot for the most under-served and low income residents of the city, who primarily live in our northern neighbourhoods. Residents in the southern neighbourhoods of Victoria are more likely to have vehicles, and currently have easy access to the Oak Bay Recreation Centre and pool
    
5. We ask that the City considering redirecting the $260,000 earmarked for the Central Middle School field feasibility study to a preliminary Recreation Master Plan – a document that is a requirement of the Official Community Plan, but isn’t on their workplan the next few years, but seems like a critical planning tool to make sure the right facility is built in the right place.. This preliminary study would analyze existing facilities throughout all neighbourhoods, analyze socio economic data at the neighbourhood level, and apply an equity and inclusivity approach to engagement in order to identify service gaps. It would also develop clear and transparent criteria for selecting a site and amenities for the new public recreation facility.

[Victoria Watcher]

typical.

[Nparker]

If sufficient federal/provincial funding is ever acquired then just build the damn thing adjacent to its current location. Sure there will be a temporary loss of green space but it will be recovered once the old facility is demolished. It's so simple it's almost painful to have to endure the convoluted arguments supporting other sites.

[Mike K.]

Now it’s $80 million dollars? It was $69 million earlier this year.

[Victoria Watcher]

walking distance? who’s gonna wall when all our buses are free?

[Nparker]

Do I hear $90 million? $100 million? It's "The Great CoV Infrastructure Auction" and the big loser is the local taxpayer.