The Editor,
Many readers may not be aware that we are currently facing a major threat to our Metro Vancouver Regional Parks.
No, the threat is not the lowly, yet deadly pine beetle or a rogue South American bee, but sadly, it is the Environment and Parks Committee.
This committee is comprised of elected representatives of our regions' municipalities. Traditionally, one of the roles of this committee is to make decisions on behalf of all Metro Vancouver residents to ensure the healthy future of our regional parks, such as, Iona Beach, Deas Island, Pacific Spirit, Campbell Valley and many more.
Through their stewardship, our regional parks, along with the wildlife and ecosystems within, are protected from encroaching development and, until now, really stupid ideas.
It is therefore troubling that some of the current committee members may not share the vision for our parks that was shown by previous mayors and councils who understood that wildlife habitat and green space are as important to a healthy region as clean air and water.
The importance of these cornerstones is clearly not as important to some representatives sitting on this committee today. If one could imagine the most intrusive and destructive activity to put in the centre of a regional park, "high performance auto sports" (i.e., car racing) would top the list.
Therefore, the fact that this Environment and Parks Committee is still considering a proposal by the Langley Speedway to do just that - smack in the middle of Campbell Valley Park, whose official purpose is "to provide outstanding examples of the region's plant and animal life for public enjoyment and study" - should make one blink.
The story here is that reintroducing auto racing in this location after a 29-year absence would cause problems for the core park users, horse riders.
The real question is - why is the Environment and Parks Committee promoting auto racing?
It is important to note that support for this proposal is not unanimous on this committee.
Our Richmond councillor Harold Steves is opposed, and we must believe that common sense will triumph.
However, the fact any representative sitting as a member on this committee could not see the flaw in this idea is a sad day indeed for our parks.
Car racing is not the problem here. The Langley Speedway Historical Society is an enthusiastic group that promotes auto sports - more power to them.
But the Environment and Parks Committee for Metro Vancouver should be in the driver's seat on this one, not the other way around.
Kathy Kolb Richmond
