Purpose of land sale still relevant today

Dear Editor:

I note with interest that Graham Hood, Kelowna City Hall’s Strategic Development Officer, is quick to point out that the old RCMP site is not within, as he calls it, “Sawmill Trust Lands,” known by most as the Simpson Covenant lands, and is not bound by those restricted land use guidelines.

What Mr. Hood failed to mention that “the site of the Kelowna Civic Auditorium … was given by the Simpson family to the city for a nominal price.”

All of the land between Doyle and Smythe were Kelowna Sawmill lands and sold at various times for a “nominal price” when used for civic purposes.

There is a photo in the Kelowna Courier of 5/2/62, of my father, Horace Simpson, “cutting the first turf” for what would become Kelowna’s Community Theatre. He is surrounded by Mayor Dick Parkinson, Aldermen Winters and Treadgold, along with a much younger Walter Gray.

Dave Chapman who spearheaded a community campaign to build this theatre is also in this photo.

The price of the RCMP lands is likely minimal, and though Mr. Hood claims there was extensive public consultation for its future use, I have yet to encounter anyone who agrees.

The Rise Developments deal is a shocking abdication of responsibility by our civic leaders, especially given the context of the pressing needs of many in our community to have a performance facility that would enhance, enliven, and support both the arts and the broader community.

City Hall would serve their community better if they paid attention to how the property surrounding their offices – whether covered by the Simpson Covenant or not – came into their possession ... and at what cost, for what purpose.

Sharron J Simpson, Kelowna