Re: New stairway to the sea (News, Dec. 5)
Sooke council has set aside $55,000 to build a “stairway to the sea” from Kennedy Street South to Cains Park, citing frequent use by children from the elementary school.
This is a ridiculous waste of public money because there is no accessible beach at this forlorn park.
As far as “frequent” use, I believe there was one visit this this year, which was a waste of time because the children couldn’t access the non-existent beach.
The staircase will be steep and dangerous, needing guardrails and not accessible to those in wheelchairs or strollers; thereby discriminating against those users and in contradiction to the official community plan.
I write not out of NIMBYism, because I don’t think the neighbourhood will be inundated with hordes of people – there is no parking on Kennedy Street or close by, and the neighbours certainly won’t be using the stairs.
Surely, the $55,000 is better spent elsewhere – a children’s play area at the new library perhaps?
John Moorcroft
Sooke
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We were not consulted or even informed before this was put to council.
If council is serious about creating a park then why was the adjoining property put up for sale for unpaid taxes by the district in September 2016?
The waterfront in the park is very small and access is very steep. We met with a city engineer last spring and expressed safety concerns.
Surely, council has better use for these funds like affordable housing? The district has large waterfront access at McGregor Park and Whiffin Spit.
Lonny McPherson
Sooke