Another possible design plan

[Patti Arnold]

As Kingston sits poised to spend over $60 Million on five pads of ice (4 at the MPLEX 1 at the LVEC), I submit this presentation which many of you may have seen at the Town Hall Meeting.

If designed properly and in keeping with the integrity of the neighbourhood, AND maintaining a Memorial to our Veterans, an all encompassing facility could be built to include one pad with 5000 seat capacity, a second pad, a 50M pool aquatic facility, and still have the ball diamonds, and huge field as well as a conference hall and meeting rooms a senior or teen drop in centre (similar to the Nepean SportsPlex, but not a cold structure of cement and steel). All this within walking distance of downtown, and midtown (which truly needs revilatization) and thousands of school students.

I live in the West End, but believe that the Memorial Centre location would serve the greater number of our community. I know that there are those who disagree with this view, but it would be nice if there could be a compromise, that one facilty could be built and save millions of dollars.

:o

There is a detailed discussion paper at www.bluemarlins.on.ca (http://www.bluemarlins.on.ca)

Patti

[Florence]

Great idea - think it will go anywhere?

[Patti Arnold]

Alas, this idea has been repeated many times over the past year and is falling on deaf or ignoring ears. Could it happen? Perhaps if all of the divided groups united in support, and if a Mayorial candidate would say "Stop this Insanity", perhaps then it would happen. There is already a plan in place showing this facility in the footprint of the Memorial Centre site - with little infringement on the green space. I hope you had a chance to review the Discussion Paper at www.bluemarlins.on.ca (http://www.bluemarlins.on.ca). Please share with your friends. Thank you! Patti

[Exhibitionist]

Unfortunately; you have to read the master plan for both transportation, infastructure and parks and recreation to get an overview of where the growth verse publically owned property is concerned.

I believe the Kingston Agricultural Society has some stake in the Memorial Property.

In fact; 50% of the income from the Memorial Centre goes to the society. (Thus the current situation I believe)

Unfortunately; they have a 50 year plus agreement with the city. And do not seem willing to make a fair agreement in terms of the communities best interests.

Its not the cities fault the situation is what it is. And it is actually good planning to have the facility built "close" to most of the users.

And to repair and bring up the Memorial Centre (refurbish to code) for millions or build new and supply the fastest growing area (the west end) with (transportation) to recreation facilities / and they demand / over the next 30 years - is the result of the current plan.

Its that simple.

[Florence]

Anybody here on the Agricultural Society? Get a life! I can't imagine why an AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY would be doing a fairground and ignoring the trends around here that would lead them to organic production and earth friendly activities. Who is on the Agricultural Society? WHo are they?
While I think the current love of animals is distorted I don't think we should ignore it. Love those cows! Bring on the pigs!. I was most impressed with English pigs who seem to live a happy existense out in the fields until the butcher comes for them. I have been unable to eat Canadian pork since seeing these happy pigs.

[Exhibitionist]

I believe their interest is neither in organic farming or a 24/7 fairground necessarily.

I believe they are interested in revenue to help support their annual fair, which is on the decline. (175 years later)

I believe they have an admiral "agriculture goal" - educating us city folk on where food comes from and how difficult it is to be a famer "these days".

But they have not changed or seem willing to change their traditional 19th century plan.

I have spoken with their "leader" and she is one of hard lines and armed with pitchfork and lease.

She will fight tooth and nail to keep things as they are - if their "interests and traditions" are maintained.

I am sure there are discussions with the group looking to help make the Memorial Centre area an "oasis". Rather than a sophisticated multipurpose
aquatic/recreational/hockey park - as Patti invisions.

Pigs or no pigs - we live in Kingston - and its traditional "Heritage" theme park.

[Valley]

While the agricultural society has a long standing agreement for the use of the Memorial Centre it has certainly been the City of Kingston that has owned and administered the property for many years. Unfortunately under the 'stewardship' of the city lower taxes were a higher priority than maintenance of facilities during most of the 1980s and 1990s. It is only recently that the city has become more interested in maintaining at least some of its infrastructure and and at considering redevelopment options for the Centre.

[Exhibitionist]

Valley - you are half right.

Maintenance has been limited over the past 20 years on some of the facilities.

In fact; I did the research to bebunk the "myth" that taxes were (held low over that period) you suggest.

The only time taxes where held from "rising" / never lowered - is during the recession (early 1990's) for more than obvious reasons. (see thread on taxes and the LVEC)

But, in the Memorial Centres situation specifically - if the Agricultural Society is taking out 50 cents on every dollar from the facility - the Centre over the 50 + years is in its state - because the Agricultural Society did not put anything significant back into it.

Infact; its the property around the facility that they have used - is telling....

I would say they have been as neglectful of the property and facility as any other city would be in that situation.

[Valley]

The Memorial Society has been owned by the City of Kingston for a number of years. The city collects all revenue from the site and pays all the expenses. The Agricultural Society, as a result of its land contribution a number of years ago, simply gets the use of the facility for society events - essentially the annual Fall Fair.

[Exhibitionist]

Oh - I see so the City is entirely responsible for the maintenance of the facility. Donation of land for the facility 50 years ago is their ownly legacy.

Thanks for clearing this up.