Remediation will destroy Laurel Point Park

On Tuesday, I attended a meeting regarding the plan to remove trees and soil from Laurel Point Park. Residents of the condo building that abuts the project, as well as representatives of Transport Canada and the City of Victoria, were present.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the removal of contaminated soil and all trees from Laurel Point Park, a year-and-a-half project that, given the fiasco of the Johnson Street Bridge, will probably stretch to two or more years. This meeting was held a week before the project is to commence and obviously too late for the city to change the plan.

We were told that the contract has been signed and sealed. Done deal. Enjoy the construction, folks. Good timing, city hall.

This project includes the destruction of the beautiful park with mature and flourishing trees, the blocking of David Foster Way, the movement of large trucks back and forth, the danger of contaminated dust filled with particulates to which lead, other metals, hydrocarbons and PCBs are attached, and the cacophony of construction noise. This noise will take place 12 hours daily for six days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and sometimes into the night for 24 hours.

Of even greater concern is there is no plan on the part of Transport Canada nor city hall to restore Laurel Point Park after this is all over.

Nor is any funding set aside from both governments to do so.

All for the simple reason that there “might” be leaking of toxic contaminants into the Inner Harbour. We were informed that none have been detected.

This information regarding lack of funding and lack of a plan for the restoration of the park is appalling and indicates a serious lack of foresight on the part of these two government bodies. Since the feds are responsible for one part of Laurel Point Park and the municipality for another part, one can imagine the finger-pointing that will occur and the dragging of feet over who pays for what.

Given the territorial fight over who removes abandoned, leaking or decrepit boats in the Gorge, I suspect it will take months, if not years, for this neighbourhood to enjoy a fully developed park and walkway.

The “park” will be reduced to a parcel of sod and a gravel path.

Too pathetic for words. Thanks, Mayor Lisa Helps. For nothing. She is big on projects and only big projects. Margot H. Todd lives in Victoria.