Stadium is a ‘monstrosity’, says reader
Re Advocate July 20:
Stadium too dear for amateur sport.
The building of this stadium was sold to the public and ratepayers as being available to all, for events and sports of various kinds.
Typical, the greedy council has deemed it must be run on a “commercial “basis.
Obviously the monstrosity being built on the old RSA site is going to be millions over budget.
Oh what to do? Reem the good old ratepayers!!
Mike Pullen
Tamaterau
Northport: Let’s do this
Great reports in the Advocate about the development of Northport, but at present it seems to be “all hui and no doey”!
When are the “decision-makers” likely to actually make a decision, set a definite date and begin work on ship yards, rail spur, container movers, etc. whatever is required!
This senario has dragged on for at least a decade. Faster decisions followed by faster action is what is urgently needed. Just get on with it. Like the Christchurch stadium, the price is not going to be cheaper tomorrow, “Let’s do it!” Marie Kaire
Ngararatunua
Look at outcomes
These days, there is much discussion on major projects and legislation policies that only considers cost, and not social outcomes.
Three Waters critics only talk about “loss of council assets” and the “compensation” due, not the state of our water or waterways.
No doubt the proposed Christchurch stadium will cost more than the estimates provided — as its critics insist. However, this is inevitable — a fact of life . (How much did you pay for water only five years ago? Rates? Power? Your new carport? Crystal ball, anyone?)
But conversely, little consideration is being shown for the need to correct the negative conditions that exist currently in each of these examples.
Or the future benefits each of these proposals will provide — the one in essential health maintenance and delivery; the other in a city’s facility for major income-bearing events. And that city’s increased status as a result. (What self-respecting, ambitious city doesn’t have such a facility?)
To consider economic factors only, denies the importance of any other quality-of-life factors that our society is measured by — health (physical and mental), well-being, and opportunities for top-level cultural and sporting engagement.
We need to remember — economics is a function of society — not the other way round.
Clyde Scott Birkenhead
Get well, Mr Biden
The world’s most powerful person has caught Covid — what does that mean for the world? Firstly, the most powerful person is just as human as everyone else.
President Biden is a senior and thus more susceptible to both Covid and the consequences of it including the risk of death and long-term Covid. Presidents need to be physically healthy given the workload and responsibility and also mentally and morally healthy something some recent presidents have not always seemed to be. We all wish him a swift and complete recovery.
Covid is still real, and the world needs to continue working on eradicating it everywhere. The same applies to a number of other diseases some of which have always existed and yet solutions are still a long way off. The world needs to be fixed and it’s not just the medical problems.
Get well Mr President, the world still needs you.
Dennis Fitzgerald
Melbourne