CRCP has taken the position that in principle it is not opposed to the Mission Aquatic Centre or a 50 metre pool being built elsewhere in the city in the future but rather with the process that Kelowna City Council is using to ratify it. (See News Releases). We feel that the use of the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is a denial of the democratic rights of residents to vote on a matter involving borrowing large sums for what will be the most expensive capital cost project in the history of the city. Recently, the City of Penticton approved the construction of a $50 million civic centre by taking the issue to the public in a referendum. They too could have employed the AAP but were more respectful of the democratic rights of their residents. We feel that Kelowna City Council should have proceeded like Penticton did.
CRCP believes that it was wrong for Kelowna City Council to have pre-approved the spending and borrowing on the pool and to use the AAP rather than an referendum under the pretext that it would save the city the costs associated with a referendum and the rising construction costs of the pool as it was not clearly established that a majority in the community were in favour of the Aquatic Centre and the borrowing and tax increase that it would entail. The only way to be clear that a majority in the community want the Aquatic Centre and are willing to pay the associated costs is to take the issue to the residents in the form of a public referendum.
What the media is saying about the Alternate Approval Process:
"It's time to allow the residents of Kelowna and the Westside an opportunity to put their money where their mouths are. Leave it up the proponents of both plans to sell the merits of both proposals to their constituents. The alternative approval process is taking the easy way out. "
Alistair Waters, Kelowna Capital News, Aug. 9, 2006
"Maybe we should just say we'll go with a referendum for borrowing unless 8,209 voters say they don't want to."
Shelley Nichols, Kelowna Capital News, Sept. 8, 2006
"a sneaky and anti-democratic trick"
Ron Seymour, Kelowna Daily Courier, June 30, 2006
"the next best thing to undemocratic"
Kim Calloway, CKOV, Sept. 29, 2006
Lawson Landing - Downtown Highrise Megaproject
Possibly the most controversial of the recent development proposals that our city council is facing. The development, proposed by Westcorp of Edmonton, Alberta is now "revised" for three high-rises along the waterfront between the Sails and the yacht club, ranging from 16 to 28 storeys, including a hotel on the Kerry Park property. This monster development would permanently change the face of Kelowna's waterfront forever.
The proposed new four-tower development is so appalling that even people visiting Kelowna disagree with it. In the Aug. 6th edition of the Capital News, a visitor from California was quoted as saying, "I hope you'll give me a reason to come back here and not go to Vegas." Seven reasons to oppose Lawson Landing:
- It will destroy the character of the waterfront which will make it less appealing for locals and tourists.
- It will result in a loss of views and diminish our natural beauty.
- It will result in a loss of park space (Kerry Park).
- It will result in decreased public access the waterfront.
- The density and massing of the project is too great.
- It will result in an increase in traffic congestion.
- It violates the spirit of the Simpson Covenant and the heritage value of the waterfront.
