There have been many letters written, petitions signed and open forums held in opposition to the new bus maintenance facility, none of which should have been necessary.
City planners, city councils, developers and real estate entities in Prince George have always operated on the instant gratification of profit and the not-so-visible backroom deals and handshakes that line the pockets or indirectly set up various individuals in our city. The Multiplex, the location of UNBC, development along the western corridor, the casino, the former Odeon cinema and the general lack of dealing with numerous vacated buildings and abandoned industrial spaces, are a few of the rather obvious examples of ineptitude, corruption and conflicts of interest.
The recreational space that now occupies the former city yards include soccer fields for men, women and children. There is CN Centre, the Aquatic Centre, Exhibition Park, the equestrian centre and a multi-use facility that is home to various athletic clubs like gymnastics. As we move closer to Cranbrook Hill we enter into a system of trails, greenbelt, wildlife habitat, University Way and numerous residential properties.
It would seem a rather simple notion that any form of industrial complex is out of place and obviously detrimental to the area in question, but as has always been the case in Prince George, construction will most likely move ahead.
The most upsetting component to this debacle is that in no other city would something as outrageous be allowed to happen.
There must be some law, zoning, city bylaw or environmental concern that should have put an instant stop to this ludicrous and immoral act which is nothing short of a slap to the face of our populace. Why after building a beautiful area of recreation in harmony with nature, which has become the envy of larger and more progressive cities, would we step back and allow this beautiful space to potentially be destroyed?
There are numerous industrial sites in our city, such as the BCR Industrial Site, CNC light industrial park, East Queensway industrial area and the massive industrial zone by our airport, all of which could house a bus maintenance depot.
The "it goes here or nowhere" attitude and our citizens being held to ransom is an utter disgrace. City council and our mayor need to end this now or I will move to a city where the taxpaying citizens are treated with the respect they deserve.
Mike Maslen
Prince George
