Please find a way to keep the pool open
My father was Dr. Fred Martens, who was so kindly mentioned in Mike Elcock’s letter of support for Archie McKinnon and his namesake athletic complex at UVic.
My dad — along with many, many other faculty members — spent hundreds of hours developing and planning the McKinnon complex.
Until 1975, the Physical Education faculty’s “home” was a mouldering former military hut and a former army drill gym.
The McKinnon was therefore a huge accomplishment for everyone involved. My dad was later presented with an engraved metal Lifetime Pass to all athletic events in the building.
He told me there were fewer than a handful of those passes ever created— and it was still in his wallet when he passed away in 2007.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find that one was also given to Archie McKinnon.
My dad’s professional focus in his later years at UVic was to research, support, and encourage the execution of daily physical education amongst young people in schools — with the goal of developing lifelong interests and benefits of athletics and recreation.
He published many professional papers and books on the subject; was one of the original founding physical education instructors at UVic; and was granted professor emeritus status at UVic when he retired.
The short-sightedness in the planned closure of the McKinnon Pool for a “mere” $1.5 million (particularly when compared to the $200-million projections for the Crystal Pool redevelopment) is disappointing not only for its loss to UVic, but to the legacy of my dad and the many others who contributed to its initial construction and intent.
Surely there is a way to keep this pool open so that it can continue to provide opportunities for sport and recreation for both students and community members alike.
Patty (Martens) Cassels
Victoria
Expect better candidates, be prepared to pay
There are so many problems today. We look to our elected officials for help and understanding, but often come up empty.
If our political system is ineffective, and I believe it is, we need to make big changes. As it stands, anybody can run for office, regardless of ability or suitability. Just look at our neighbours to the south!
Elected officials must be held to a higher standard. Maybe we need to make IQ tests and psychological testing mandatory for those who plan to run for public office.
We must then adequately compensate the successful candidates. You get what you pay for.
A certain millionaire nepo baby with nice hair who likes to wear blackface might not be the world’s best prime minister, but maybe a savvy and thrifty Canadian housewife would be.
Cheera J. Crow
Brentwood Bay
A quick plan for boosting defence spending
I can think of a simple way of increasing our defence spending. It won’t take 10 to 15 years, either.
Raise the wages for everyone in our forces substantially. It might even help with recruitment.
James Bay
Victoria
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ no longer among best countries
Re: “All things considered, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is best country,” letter, July 8.
The letter exults that ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is the best country in the world. Not to be rude, but perhaps they should travel more often.
To be sure, we remain blessed with much but we have slipped hugely in the past two decades.
As I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s and into the 1970s, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ might well have been close to the best country.
We had an admirable international standing, our population was growing at a manageable rate, our record on economic growth and innovation was strong, and our national institutions — Parliament, the armed forces, the judiciary, the RCMP and the education sector — were all pretty much fit for purpose. It was largely an enviable time.
But what do we have now? Institutions that are fraying on all sides.
Internationally we are no longer a real player. Our economic record is weak. We can no longer provide affordable housing or adequate medical care to millions of Canadians.
In our zeal to bring in immigrants, under whatever guise, we do not serve them well, either. Citizens have little confidence in government or their politicians.
But, yes, in comparison with many countries in the world we are hanging on, just. But to proclaim that we are the best country in the world ignores the current facts of life and the fissures in our national fabric.
As a former diplomatic representative proudly serving our country abroad, I always mused that I was a better Canadian overseas than I was at home. I am not too sure what I would say today.
David Collins
Victoria
Shades of Clover Point in plans for Centennial Square
I read the comments of councillors following approval of the plan for Centennial Square. What a load of virtue-signalling tosh with echoes of a social engineering agenda.
It makes no sense to remove the sequoia or install a splash pool, especially when faced with the increased probability of climate change and long-term drought.
The proposed splash pool ignores the market reality that the condominium boom downtown is not aimed at families with small children who would be the market for such a feature.
This “if we build it they will come” mentality is reminiscent of that other magnificent planning failure, Clover Point, which was partly born out of a misguided notion that its redesign would help in the fight against global warming.
Its warped parking allocation and perpetually deserted windswept picnic tables reflect its designers’ failure to understand either Victoria’s weather or human behaviour.
Centennial Square is certainly in need of major revitalization. City Hall should be a centrepiece. It should manifest civic pride, both in appearance and in connecting to the past. But, to put it mildly, it is shabby and desperately in need of a major facelift and decent paint job to make this part of the city attractive.
The space for entertainment should be redesigned so it is a welcoming, comfortable, modern space for performers and a large audience.
Other than that, leave the important historical features of the square alone; don’t use the proposed revamp to drive poorly articulated social agendas.
Frank Duerden
Victoria
The best pool option is rooted in our past
Re: “Victoria taxpayers, watch the Crystal Pool plan carefully,” commentary, July 6.
The commentary on the potential cost explosiveness of a new swimming pool project raises valid concerns.
There is a wonderful solution that is relatively inexpensive. It entails no new construction and has a powerful tourism upside to boot.
My recommendation involves two separate works. Firstly, refresh and modernize the Crystal Pool for a modest sum.
Then reinstate its predecessor, the Crystal Garden, which is a very lightly used and unneeded adjunct to the Victoria Conference Centre, to its original 1920s function as a salt-water swimming pool, replete with Turkish baths, and tea room and ballroom space on the mezzanines.
For four decades this magnificent heritage structure, designed by two architectural legends — Francis Rattenbury and Percy Leonard James — was Victoria’s pleasure palace.
As an added bonus, consider the boost to tourism having this heritage attraction as a top draw.
This option deserves consideration. The original 30-inch thick “boat” foundation, which include the pool depression, is intact. And the entire building, including the glass roof, was refurbished for Conference Centre conversion, so costs should be controllable.
Did I mention that this option entails no new construction?
D.W. Mason
Victoria
Goodbye to swimmers, hello to pickleballers
Re: “Community could help save the UVic pool,” editorial, July 9.
The space occupied by the pool could be rented as pickleball courts. Just like the squash and tennis courts at Cedar Hill rec centre, noise would be completely contained. The revenue would help pay for renovations.
Alanne Gibson
Victoria
Voters will remember the tree-cutting council
I have never heard a more cynical statement than “[Victoria council will] find ways to commemorate the sequoia tree that will be removed.” At the next council elections, Victorians will certainly remember the council members who vote in favour of the proposal.
Jonathan Stoppi
Saanich
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