After a couple of excellent letters to the editor in the PNR recently, I am disappointed North Saanich council appears not to have even been involved in a discussion regarding combining municipal facilities in one building in Sidney instead of patching up our municipal hall on Mills Road. So many people that I have spoken to have been enthusiastic about this idea.
It would be most cost effective to share amenities, i.e. building and maintenance costs, heating, electricity, office machines, toilets, cleaning services and right down to coffee machines and so forth, but keeping separate sides of the premises for the North Saanich and Sidney municipal halls.
This no way means amalgamation, just sharing of facilities. The patching up of the North Saanich Hall is not a worthy long term solution and it is likely that we will require new premises in the future.
Wouldn’t it be an idea to go in with Sidney as they are considering a replacement of their existing premises now? The ideal position is on the land south of Mary Winspear Centre, in which North Saanich already has a mutual benefit agreement with Sidney.
It would be more convenient for residents to get to a hall in Sidney than to Mills Road. This could also likely result in increased attendance at council meetings.
Surely it is well worth at least discussing this point?
Hans & Valerie Edwards, North Saanich
