After 2 years, the extremely expensive covered structure in Ross Glen park in lower Rossland appears to be finished.
I am not sure what it is for, but in the winter time, we are short of parking on the street.
Looks like we could call it a public carport. I think it might fit about 6 vehicles.
Town: Rossland, BC
If only it were done... Now they have to landscape..
Apparently it will be open for use in August.
I think they should just hang a basketball net in it and call it a day.
This project took longer than the entire new city hall apartment complex.
And despite the City insisting the community *asked* for this concrete monstrosity to destroy our beautiful green park, I cant find a single person who completed that survey requesting this to happen.
The survey the City continues to refer to was answered by a few hundred people - around 10% of two adult age groups. And the corresponding report states the most requested thing was an updated playground.
But in recent conversation with our Mayor, still no accountability is being taken for this crazy project and they just continue insisting the community wanted this and its going to be beautiful....
I think the new structure is great. I would agree that it took longer than it should have and I dont think I want to know the price but it is a beutiful structure. I've lived beside and used Rossglen park for decades and this is a great addition. Complain about cost...sure . I don't get complaining about improving our parks with functional space that can be used by many groups and individuals for years to come.
I disagree. I think the original beautiful old trees were much nicer and provided natural shade. As a child, I would much rather have had grass and trees to play around – the park is already quite small so a large portion has been taken up by the structure. Also I would have thought a shade closer to the play area would have been more useful. Even better, it would have been better to upgrade the play structures themselves before building a shelter.
Shelter was paid for by grants, not the city. That might have something to do with the timeline of construction and obtaing funds. Also why it was built instead of upgrading the play equipment.
If the project runs the full cost of $360K, taxpayers will pay roughly $55K towards it.
Grant money doesn't grow in trees.
Grant money is very often coming from other government levels/agencies, be it Federal or Provincial so in other words tax money in one form or an other. Not your taxes but surely from others in the country.
Grant money is not for $360K gazebo that nobody wants or asked. Having grant money It's not a green light for frivolous spending.
Quite the opposite indeed. In good governance, there is an added level of responsabilities in spending other's people money. We dropped the cauliflower in the soup with this one.
Let's make sure the city recognize this was a big boo boo.
Im tired of listening to people bitch about every little thing that iconvinces them in this town. Take a look around at what's happening in the rest of the world, how about even the rest of the country? We've got it so damn good here. Clean water and air, next to nothing for crime, we were barely even touched by the fenynal crisis that ravaged other small towns in BC. Have you walked around Nelson or downtown Trail lately and seen the rampant hard drug use? We got one homeless guy who's actually a decent guy who lives in his car, our streets are clean, we're probbaly one of the safest, friendliest communities out there. It's like people here can't be content or happy unless they've got something to bitch and complain about. Take a look around and be grateful for what you have. Our town isn't on fire, undewater or being bombed in oblivion.
So many people want to nitpick every single thing that council does that they don't agree with. You think you can do better? You know how many hours they put in every week running this town for what amounts to less than what EI pays? I make a habit of not criticizing what someone is doing Unless I think I can do it Better. Instead of endless whining about every little thing you don't like, step up the the plate and run for council next election and show the community that you have all the answers and can do a better job. But nobody in this town who constantly whines will ever do that bec they don't want to take on the burden and responsibility of serving their communtiy. They'd rather just bitch and point fingers without even considering offering a solution. Sure you voted, you got right to complain, but maybe actually try communicating with somebody on council or to one of their god awful boring council meetings and get educated. You might find out that those people are doing theor best to take care of our community, becuse guess what? They live here too and pay taxes like the rest of us.
I think disagreeing with and/or trying to understand a decision made by council is 100% ok. And just because someone disagrees with them doesnt mean they need to run for Council and "do it better". There are many ways to get involved with and serve your community.
This particular project is just baffling.
In Plato's famous quote, "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors,"
[This quote serves as a reminder that if individuals choose to remain apathetic or uninvolved in political matters, they risk being governed by individuals who may not possess the necessary wisdom, knowledge, or altruistic intentions required for effective leadership.
Politics is the arena where decisions about laws, regulations, and policies are made, directly impacting the lives of citizens. Participation in politics allows individuals to voice their concerns, advocate for change, and contribute to shaping their communities and countries. By abstaining from political involvement, individuals not only surrender their influence but also open the doors for individuals of potentially lesser capabilities to govern over them.]
Quote from https://www.socratic-method.com
@dstrelioff...the people who love to complain would never have a hope of being elected....thankfully
I have lived in this town since 1975. I was a nurse at the Rossland hospital. I ran a business in the area. I raised my children here, and at the same time volunteered with 6 different community organizations and my partner was on city council.
I am entitled to express my opinion on this forum especially since I live in the neighborhood of the park and have for over two years witnessed the mess and inefficiency that has dogged this project. The contractors travelled from Nelson and were seldom here.
My quandary is in trying to understand the purpose that the structure serves. If it is for music events it is facing the wrong direction, there isn't enough parking and there isn't a toilet. (Simply stating a fact). If it is to shelter three picnic tables, we were already happy with the shade from the trees that were cut down for this structure.
Sure it was built with grant money, but that doesn't mean that we should waste that money.
A project that should have cost around $100,00, coming in at three times that? Come on!