Posted from the Daily Graphic July 4 2008

Regarding “Too little too late from citizens” (June 24th issue):

We’ve heard from the project managers, the politicians, the glowing reports from the financial elite about the recreation centre. It might be a little bit late, but now we’ve started to hear from the people who will be paying the bulk of this costly project. And as the costs are still quite high, I’m wondering several things.

Since the interior of the current arena was completely rebuilt and the second arena built less than 25 years ago in the 1980s, why does an arena even need to be part of this complex? It’s still in excellent condition, with extensive work being completed to the older part of the arena in the early 1990s, around 15 years ago.

Not only this, but having attended a number of playoff hockey games this past year, I noticed, even at the beginning of the series with Humboldt, there were still empty seats (more than just a handful), in the arena. There may have be a few sell-out Terrier games this past season, but does this constitute a good reason for doubling the seating capacity?

Instead of burdening taxpayers with this huge debt and interest — why not pare it down more, move it and spend the difference on things that are really needed, ie. the terrible conditions of our roads and other necessities? Especially since so little road work has been done in this city for the past number of years?

I’m not referring to the projects paid for by the province for provincial roads that run through our city ie. Third Street S.E. and Saskatchewan Avenue West. Other than those streets, it seems that the only work done has been the entranceway to Koko Platz, part of Lorne Avenue West, and all of two streets paved in 2006, much of this being done at election time of that year, at the end of October! And of course, Wilkinson Crescent is now being remade this year.

I’m not against making new facilities, but it is still the citizens of this city who will have taxes raised again and again and again to pay for this extravagant location, along with a $10-15 million bridge.

So why not “bite the bullet,” councillors, and listen to your citizens’ concerns. We may be late, but we’ll think much better of you for it, especially at election time.

Kevin Johnston

Portage la Prairie