Dear Editor,
I have been following the discussion in your paper and on Facebook regarding this very expensive proposal and am somewhat perplexed as to where people are getting their “proven facts” from.
Firstly, some statistics have been published advising certain “diseases as they are called are higher in Princeton than the provincial average. How are these statistics borne out? How are they compiled” This is an important question and I believe a certain UK PM in the 1800’s said, “there are statistics and then statistics” meaning of course, that statistics can be interpreted from many different angles to say virtually whatever a person wants them to say to prove a point.
Secondly, there are the “benefits” stated from a letter. How is the local economy going to be revived? Many business ventures in this town can’t make it, so how does an aquatic centre help?” Tourism booster,” this is a pass through town on the way to or from other centres. People don’t just come here because its here. Neither will they come if there is this centre. Why would they? My point here comes from my “fact” that in the last five years I have provided accommodation to many people in my motel. Ninety per cent don’t come to this town for tourism. They are passing through. Anyway, the town does not promote itself as a tourist centre, so how would anyone know it even exists?
“Property value booster,” certainly not the case as any town in B.C. with one of these centres will agree. Call them and ask, I did.
“Attracts businesses and employees,” what type of business will be attracted by this centre? Well its simply not true, call and ask, I did.
“Brings and keeps families together,” only good parenting keeps families together, as has been well proven. Google the issue and see for yourselves, I did.
All in all there are a lot of positive conceptions being spread around, however, in my opinion, when one digs below the surface, calls other towns, asks other people, it becomes apparent that these conceptions bear no basis in fact. Along with the huge ongoing costs and increases in taxes it may in fact deter people from coming to Princeton. Of course, this goes for the business community as well, you will put off through taxation the intents of this centre.
I object to this scheme as it is too expensive to build, has little benefit to a small town and it’s hard enough to make some business income as it is without another burden dragging us down.
Yours truly,
Michael Dennington
Downtown resident
Princeton, B.C.