Special section: half-year of real estate transfers - Westmount ...

More letterscontinued from p.8ond NHL hockey rink?Roger Jochym, Lewis Ave.* Editor’s note: The arena process beganwith boreholes (e.g., see “What secrets liebelow?”, October 14, 2008, p. 3 and “Boreholeswill help design work” by then mayorKarin Marks, October 28, 2008, p. 4). As faras we know, the only major finding (whichwas knowable from sources other than boreholes)has been that the soil under the currentsite is an in-filled ravine. Depending on whatyou’re doing, this situation is both a negative(it is hard to build on) and a positive (it iseasy to dig up). Given the amount of excavationenvisaged by the current plan, it seemslikely that there will be a fair amount of positiveeffect.Where is indoor pool?After all the feedback from the public,especially in letters to the Westmount Independent,it is disappointing and frustratingto hear that the city is still sticking to itsoriginal, ill-conceived arena/pool projectplan that does not include an indoor pool.According to the Suburban of March 3,Côte St. Luc received $11.5 million fromthe federal and provincial governments tobuild a $17-million intergenerationalaquatic centre that naturally includes anindoor pool. Construction will begin thisyear.This news throws a big shadow onWestmount’s project, which is the richestcity on the island of Montreal.To construct two new arenas and anoutdoor pool without an indoor pool –even though a user study shows that weneed one – is a huge mistake in this dayand age. The city states an indoor pool willbe built later. That is just wonderful. Weall know when politicians say “later” theymean “never.” And the reasons given fornot building an indoor pool are pretty poor(we cannot afford it at this time; the operationalcosts are too high; the infrastructuregrant is specific: two rinks and anoutdoor pool). Well, where there is no will,there is no way.The latter is hard to believe. What dothe governments care what type of poolstructure is going to be built? I suggest thecity goes back and applies for the rightgrants or additional grants/funds.To accommodate an indoor pool, I suggestthe following: build the indoor pool atthe site of the present arena, rebuild animproved outdoor pool at its present site.Since the arenas are to be built underground,build them at the site of the tenniscourts and transfer the tennis courts to theroof as planned.However, to satisfy the growing demandfor tennis, build the roof in such away that it can accommodate six courts insteadof three.Jutta DeMers, Grosvenor Ave.Can’t cross that fast!I would like to address the comment byStation 12 commander Stéphane Plourdein reference to the pedestrian crossing atSherbrooke and Victoria (Independent,April 20, p. 5) “There’s plenty of time tocross both ways on one light, and it’s notsafe to allow horizontal crossing at oneplace when it’s not permitted and unsafeat another.” One must assume he meantthat one can cross both Sherbooke andVictoria on one light.Quite frankly, he is full of hogwash. Idefy him to show how the average personcan accomplish such a feat on one light, inthe time allowed, without running andprobably not even then.Even a teenager in good shape is unlikelyto accomplish this, and most certainlyneither would the large number ofWESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – May 4-5, 2010 – 7seniors and small children that use that intersection.As to the claim by Commander Plourdethat the horizontal crossing of the intersection,as practised by many of us, includingcity employees, is unsafe (note hewords it as if it were a fact) I ask him tofactually back up his statement and publishthe documented, proven numbersshowing how many people have been injuredand/or killed at the Victoria/Sherbrookeintersection due to horizontalcrossing on the pedestrian green lightsince the new traffic light system was implemented.Gene Kruger, Côte St. Antoine Rd.Electronic IndependentsavailableEnjoy the Indie at supper timeon Tuesdays!Sign up by writing us:office@westmountindependent.com.