The Editor,
Re: "City needs new accounting officer," Letters, Nov. 2.
I couldn't agree more with Mr. Murphy's letter where he talks about the future of this building.
Years ago, I stated that the oval, as it was called then by our city council, would be a Nine Day Wonder during the time of the Olympics and then it would become a useless, white elephant.
Mayor Brodie then went on record to state categorically that, rather than a white elephant, this facility would become a great economic boost to the Richmond economy.
At that time, he was basking in the glow of having won The Teddy Award, a trophy awarded for the most flagrant misuse of taxpayers' money. This is a national competition and all city councils in Canada are eligible. Richmond's council was an easy winner.
Since the Olympics, the Owe-Val, as it has come to be known, has had to be heavily subsidized as figures have shown only about one per cent of Richmond residents use it.
And so, city hall's answer to these somewhat gloomy figures is to pour more money into what is rapidly becoming a completely bottomless pit.
Last year, it was a climbing wall. This year it is a museum - the expectations are that people will come from all over the world to visit it. I somewhat doubt it.
Next year, who knows what bright idea city hall is working on now. We will all learn eventually when it has all been approved and ratified and more millions will have been set aside in the budget for its construction. Taxpayers will not be consulted, as usual.
Mayor Brodie and council should give careful thought to Mr. Murphy's suggestions that The Owe-Val be closed or demolished and the land be used for some useful purpose instead of continuing as a steady drain on taxpayers' money. The "paintenance" period will be starting soon, if it hasn't already done so.
Robert M. Paul Richmond
