Richmond - The Editor, Re:"When the Games have gone?" News, Feb. 7.After reading this feature, I was left wondering if the oval is truly an investment in our community or a "white elephant" that will continue to cost $3 million a year from city funds forever? So the oval cost $178 million, with $60 million from VANOC, leaving Richmond taxpayers on the hook for $118 million.Not bad when you see the impressive, modern facility the community is getting. If you include the $50 million of casino revenue towards this, the deal looks even better; roughly $68 million for a $178 million facility? I can certainly understand why the city would jump at this opportunity.On the other hand, many would argue that the $50 million of casino revenue would be much better spent supporting the many community groups that work hard to provide services to a wide spectrum of the community and seem to always be struggling for funding.With an additional $3 million per year of city subsidy required to fund operations, it would appear there might be even less for community groups.It would appear that it's in everyone's interest to maximize revenues from the oval. With roughly half of the $11.4 million yearly expenses funded from memberships and hosting events, we could assume approximately $2.85 million from each.Increasing memberships, which are already more expensive than community centres, is rather appealing. But by doing so, an even larger segment of our community will become priced out of affording it.More important, though, is that the largest customer base, right next door, is exempt from paying membership fees! So that leaves hosting events, which pulled in say, approximately a similar $2.85 million last year. There were certainly a few big, well planned and fun events hosted at the oval.Clearly, the city has worked hard to get these events. Is there more the city can do to attract more events? Is the oval in a poor location for large events? No matter what one thinks regarding the original decision to build the oval, it's here to stay and we, as a community, need to look forward and help provide ideas, rather than continue to second-guess past decisions.Jerome DickeyRichmond
