There seems to be a lot of kerfuffle over the new pavilion to be constructed on the grounds of Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park. One area I happen to think our city does a very good job at is with the creativity and maintenance of our many parks.
An announcement was made last week that the Government of Canada, along with the city, will create a new pavilion to replace the old dilapidated picnic shelter located between the tot lot and the water spray park.
This is great news. Believe it or not, however, there are many project naysayers for a variety of reasons.
Let's talk design. There are some that feel the design should mimic the traditional picnic shelters such as those at Cottonwood Island Park (two shelters), Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park at 20th and Hemlock, and the regional district's Wilkins Park.
What is wrong with moving to progressive designs of our period in history? I happen to love it!
At first thought it brought back memories of the hat Sally Field use to wear on the Flying Nun television show.
Some years ago, there was talk about a new structure. Rotary was a potential funder of at least part of the project.
Since my Jo had already done a couple of drawings for shelters which were built with Rotary funds and volunteer labour, he did some preliminary sketches to replace the picnic shelter next to the Rotaract water spray park.
Interestingly, he also took a more modern approach and derived a curvilinear design which had some similarities to the current design.
So, let's talk practicality. With the edges of the peaked roofs being so high in many places, it will not protect against a strong, driving summer downpour as well as the traditional designs with low eaves all around.
I would have expected someone with a say in the matter to have noticed that before the design got to the present stage.
Then there are those who complain about the cost. We are seeing the entire cost, not just the construction cost. Yes, the local and federal funds come from the taxpayers' pockets. The city is contributing up to $377,000.
What most forget is that the rest of Canada's taxpayers are providing the bulk of the federal portion of up to $377,000.
Since the city's population is about 0.21 per cent of the Canadian population only about $1,000 of the federal money comes from the pockets of the citizens of Prince George. The rest is provided by the generosity of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
I say merci beaucoup and well done to the city administration for grabbing that money as often as they can to keep our balance of incoming and outgoing contribution in the nation.
The word "pavilion" might concern some. It simply means "an open sometimes ornamental structure in a garden or park or a place of recreation that is used for entertainment or shelter."
In other words, an open structure which has many uses.
The buttresses which support the columns will have Lheidli T'enneh cultural interpretive plaques to increase the awareness of the nation's historic presence in the region, specifically on the memorial park land.
In my mind, that is a fitting thing to do and much overdue.
So folks, lighten up. Be proud of a progressive First Nation which supports a modern structure for a pavilion.
And if, when this is finished, you really hate it, there is no one forcing you to use it.
Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park is a beautiful park and the pavilion will make it a brighter, forward-looking experience. I, for one, cannot wait to make a picnic lunch and head out with my Jo.
Give your input but also try saying thank you for doing the right thing with your money occasionally.
