With regard to selling or leasing City of Powell River properties to reduce property taxes, I am deeply concerned that the old arena site would be considered as one of the properties to be sold or leased for commercial purposes [“City-owned land sales supported by Powell River mayor,” July 10].
The old arena site is part of Willingdon Beach Park. There is a covenant on the entire area which designates it as parkland.
I came to Powell River in the 1960s and attended the Powell River Arena, on the Willingdon Beach Park site, for skating, hockey and community functions such as the Fall Fair. The arena was used by an entire community for public use only.
The area is flat, and adjacent to a beach which was used for thousands of years to land canoes by Tla’amin Nation. The traditional name for the area is Ah joo miexw, meaning flat clear ground.
This flat area was used as a sports ground by Tla’amin Nation. A village was located near the creek for the harvesting of chum salmon.
In 1928, Lord Willingdon, governor general of Canada, at the request of the Powell River Company, opened the park which was named after him.
For nearly 100 years, this stunningly beautiful area near the beach has been a gathering place for our community for markets and sports events. Recently a farmers’ market was held here, this weekend the area is being used in connection with Powell River Logger Sports.
Thus the old arena site has a multi-use function for markets, sports events, et cetera. The site belongs to everyone in the Powell River area. The sale of the old arena site for commercial use, such as the building of condos and shops, would be a travesty.
A change in use of the old arena site from parkland to commercial would require consultation with Tla’amin Nation and Powell River residents.
Barbara Ann Lambert,
Black Point
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