WATERFRONT BELONGS TO ALL CITIZENS
I was happy and proud as a former mayor of this beautiful city to witness hundreds of people new and old enjoying a skate on the outdoor ice surface north of Founders Hall this Saturday and Sunday past. It was heart-warming to see many new Canadians on skates for the first time enjoying a healthy Canadian winter activity on our waterfront along with new friends and locals. I commend, and sincerely thank, the mayor and council for purchasing this property for an open area use after its ill-advised sale for development by CADC. This purchase showed a commitment to the waterfront consistent with the vision of community leaders in the past that saw the waterfront as a place for all citizens and visitors to enjoy. We have a waterfront today that is the envy of others that allowed their waterfronts to develop without a vision. We owe the community leaders that put their vision to action and put in place the boardwalk system, protected the history and heritage of waterfront and insured the development of the area as a people place so much gratitude. Please don't let them down. Today I implore the city council of Charlottetown to further extend their waterfront development vision and be the catalyst for the purchase of the area south of Founders Hall that is now planned for a seven- or eight-storey building. I plea that you be the engine that brings together Charlottetown city council, the Harbour Authority and CADC — if indeed they still hare the vision of their former leaders — and negotiate with the willing developer for the purchase of this land so it may put it to a use more consistent with the vision of the waterfront shared by so many as a place for all to enjoy. Certainly not a sevenor eight-storey building that will totally overshadow the unique windows and unique architecture of historic Founders Hall. Please turn words into action. Please insure that this area be protected for a use consistent with the vision of those who showed the leadership that has provided us with a waterfront for so many citizens and visitors to be proud of and to enjoy. A seven- or eight-storey building is far from the answer.
George MacDonald, Charlottetown