To the Editor,
Re: Council takes next step on event centre plans, Dec. 23.
It is unbelievable that our city council wants to waste a lot of taxpayers’ money on event centre administration, before they know whether there will be such a centre. Or do they really care what a referendum result will say? Nanaimo does not, and will never have the demographics to support such a centre. This is an ‘old’ town that does nothing to attract industries that employ young, educated people.
Their actions are a perfect example of ‘fire, aim, ready.’ How often does this approach hit the target?
Tom ClarkeNanaimo
To the Editor,
This ‘new priority’ of council boggles my mind. Many people have stated that the multiplex is an ill-conceived plan.
Studies have proven that these kind of facilities are not serving the taxpayers well.
We likely have already spent half a million dollars on this idea, paying for staff time, advertising and consultants. The consultants are highly recommending the city go this way, because that is the way they make their living.
I can see money put into an extra account for infrastructure improvements and maintaining our present assets. Don’t even bother with the referendum, only adding to the costs.
Private investment needs to be raised for this project and I would suggest that everyone in favour of this deal, put their own dollars down and leave the taxpayers out of it altogether.
Inge von StackelbergNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: Multiplex isn’t a need, Letters, Dec. 13.
What is with the thinking in this town? We do not need another big white elephant. There are so many other areas that our tax monies could go to.
If it is wanted and needed so bad then let the big boys in the big companies pay for it, we cannot. We have sewers, roads, schools, hospital, police, firehouses and firefighters, homeless and so many other areas that our tax monies should go to. The places where we see our tax monies benefiting us all.
Donna ShuttleworthNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: Multiplex isn’t a need, Letters, Dec. 13.
Do not forget that the cost of the centre will be on the citizens of Nanaimo only. And yet the backers of the centre are largely counting on attendance from outside of Nanaimo city to fill the building. Cowichan Valley, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Parksville, Qualicum Beach – they proudly point to the population of these areas that will make use of the building – but they will pay nothing towards its building cost, and little towards its ongoing maintenance; yes, a small slice of their ticket prices, but not enough. It is the residents of Nanaimo that will pay. And don’t think it is just property owners that will pay – anyone paying rent within the city will also pay as taxes on the property get factored into any rent be it residential or commercial. So don’t think if you pay rent you won’t be paying for it. We will all pay for a building that will be used mostly (according to the city’s own numbers) by non-taxpaying citizens of Nanaimo. Their numbers say 295,000 potential market size, our Nanaimo taxpaying citizens make up less than one-third of that number.
Ron W. PoulterNanaimo
