Your writer is very astute in the article about the Oak Bay Lodge (More than meets the eye‚ Nov. 25) and the decision by a majority of councillors not to permit variances in the redevelopment of the lodge by the Vancouver Island Health Authority and its P3 partner, the Baptist Housing Society.
Thankfully a majority of councillors were not “kowtowed” by VIHA’s CEO, Howard Waldner and his favourite P3 partner, Howard Johnson of the Baptist Housing Society.
Hopefully the principals will come back to Oak Bay council with a dramatically reduced plan to replace the facility and redevelop the property for elderly residential care. And this time may their plan conform to the wishes of citizens in the region as well as the needs of the elderly.
As one of the protagonists living in the municipality, I only hope VIHA won’t attempt another sleight-of-hand maneuver and will come together with the Baptist Housing Society with a proposal that may limit their appetite to make a huge profit, in favour of a facility which provides inexpensive residential care for the elderly in our community.
Dale Perkins, co-chair, South Island Health Coalition
