Car wash blues
Recently, as a few reluctant harbingers of spring were grudgingly announcing good things to come, I decided to visit Victoria Park to assess how the winter had treated this little gem. As I strolled down the drive leading from the tennis courts to the boardwalk, I suddenly caught sight of what looked like a very poorly designed car wash. A less sensitive and more articulate person than I, might call it an abomination.
When I had heard that the city was spending a fair amount of my tax change on a band shell (aka pavilion), I thought of all the esthetically pleasing ones that I had seen in my travels. While a student in Halifax during the dark ages, I spent considerable time in the Public Gardens, and a little time in the Lord Nelson Pub, just across the street. The Gardens, which provided a great get-away from the books, had a wonderful bandstand, in the Victorian style.
I presumed that our city fathers would have had a similar sense of historical style and appropriateness, when planning for this worthy addition to the park.
Perhaps my astonishment is understandable in light of comments made in the early stages of planning. In 2014, Melissa Hilton, then chair of the parks and recreation committee, told CBC that “the pavilion’s not going to be a grand, large, you know, band shell. It’s going to be ..gazebo style. It’ll be a place for gatherings, picnic area.”
In October, 2016 Greg Rivard, chairman of the city’s planning and heritage committee told the Guardian that the new bandstand in no way, shape or form is designed to bring in big concerts. That makes sense when we consider that the city had already constructed an events area of questionable merit by the bridge.
Rivard went on to clarify its use: “It’s just a means for local artists to display their talent in an intimate setting. It could even be used for yoga instructors!”
I don’t expect that Governor Robinson, who vested responsibility for the park to the city in 1873, would be a great supporter of this latest travesty. He intended that the park would be “for the use of Her Majesty’s subjects as a park, promenade and pleasure ground. On no condition may it be used for circuses, shows or exhibitions of any kind.”
I can only imagine that the good Queen herself would not be amused!
If this tacky eyesore does not work out as a pavilion or car wash, I suppose it could be the site for the new fire hall!