Re: “Outdoor pools tough to justify in Vancouver,” May 30 Online only
Firstly – I consider the current park board commissioners intelligent and quite capable of making their own decisions — without the help of a former park board bommissioner who quit.
Secondly, it is such a change to encounter a park board that actually listens to what residents of Vancouver want. I was tired of the Vision pat on the head and “we know best” attitude.
From past public consultation, it was clear that residents of Mount Pleasant wanted to retain their outdoor swim pool. However, when Mount Pleasant Community Centre was rebuilt, no pool — outdoor or indoor — was provided in either the park or the community centre. So when Aaron Jasper says that he supports outdoor pools but only if they are built attached to community centres — how come he didn’t build any during his term on park board? (He will have you believe that Hillcrest has an outdoor swimming pool — however, it is a toddlers’ wading pool — not a swimming pool).
Who is he trying to convince — the general public or himself? Since 2004, residents of Mount Pleasant have lobbied to get their outdoor pool replaced, but Vision is totally against — citing lack of funding. Property taxes and CACs could easily have paid for at least one outdoor pool during the Vision term. Sunset and Marpole would also like to get their pools replaced. Why can’t property taxes and CACs be allocated to this task? Is it really that difficult, or is it that Vision may have to explain where all the taxes and CACs are going?
Aaron Jasper is right in one way though. He did support replacing Mount Pleasant Pool once longgggggggggggg ago in the past. The difference between him and John Coupar is that Commissioner Coupar actually has a conscience and is trying to keep his promise to build more outdoor pools. Aaron Jasper broke his promise — as did Vision. If you are expecting Vision to replace indoor or outdoor pools — you will have to wait a long time. It’s not on their agenda.
Jean Campbell, Vancouver
