We are paying the price now

Dear editor: Well, the Banks Crescent proposal is put to rest after what seems to have been a pretty long drawn out affair. Who had even heard of Banks Crescent two years ago?

Anyway, what this entire process pointed out though was our total lack of a workable Urban Growth Area that utilizes our presently-serviced core.

About four years ago an excellent effort was put forward after much community input, but got blown up with the catchy “Stop the Swap” movement. Unfortunately we are paying the price now.

I think while community interest and activism is fresh in everyone’s mind and apparently we have an enthusiastic company that wishes to invest in an “Age in Place” care facility , I would say the ball is back in our court.

We have lots the serviced land between Quinpool, Garnet, North Victoria and Turner that is obviously not very productive and ideal for such as facility. Good gravel base, close to downtown, services in place and much less expensive to develop.

I would think $1 million would put together plenty of land in those areas. I think most aged folks might rather walk or scooter to the thrift store or coffee shop than look at the lake anyway.

Maybe it wouldn’t have to be quite so large as well. How about working together on infrastructure, like a combined pool recreation facility? Many options.

I am suggesting we (and I mean we) work together as a community to make this happen.

I don’t mean just for this one project, I mean do it once and inclusive for the longterm benefit of our community. This urban core proposal has been on the books since I came here 33 years ago and probably much before that.

I think all of us should sit down with an open mind and really get this planning sorted out. Collectively, I believe we could solve other issues such as attainable housing, urban sprawl, wild land and fire control, reduced developed lot values and at the same time build this unique friendly walkable community we always talk about.

Folks, we have some really positive things happening here. I believe this new international Baccalaureate school on the old Glenfir site, including student accommodation, is the best thing we could have ever hoped for.

Let’s get behind this and show these folks what a great community we have here. The school, along with some of our new businesses is our opportunity to turn around the skewed demographics that are killing us.

We will probably have international students, worldly staff, and visiting parents. Some may even like what they see and choose to live and invest here.

All this is possible if we just open our minds and work together.

Oh, and a Winston Churchill “talk alike” would certainly help. Everyone should see the movie, “The Darkest Hour.”

We have a great future. Let’s get together and make it happen. Don Hudgeon Summerland