Editor
For years Port Moody sports organizations have lobbied for the development of a real sports field on the Inlet Park gravel field site. Port Moody Council has put them off for years.
While assurances have been made, they have not been acted upon.
Now, with flourishing condo developments, the development of Brewer's Row, and the shrinking of Rocky Point parking lot, the city seems to be lusting after Inlet Park as an overflow parking lot for construction workers, movie dressing rooms and grips, and various summer cultural activities.
While COVID-19 is, at present, curtailing many sports, we should not allow this to be used as an excuse to pave paradise and put up a parking lot.COVID-19 is, at present, curtailing many sports, we should not allow this to be used as an excuse to pave paradise and put up a parking lot.
Think of cities in Metro Vancouver that don't have a multi-field sports complex. I can think of only one — Port Moody.
Burnaby has three such complexes — they are constantly developing sports fields. Coquitlam has two — Town Centre and Mundy Park.
Port Moody has neglected this important aspect of a thriving healthy community. Our children need to play soccer, field hockey, football, and baseball. The Town Centre field and Heritage Woods High School are good facilities but they're not enough.
Port Moody should be actively searching its shrinking land inventory with a view to developing a multi sports field complex for our children. The Ioco lands, and Suncor properties come to mind.
As a first move, the city should develop plans to convert the gravel field at Inlet Park to at least one, perhaps two sports fields.
This might involve purchasing a building or two and moving three or four dog runs, but two green fields in among the concrete and craft beer outlets would be a triumph for Port Moody youth and an increasingly condo-focused city council
Come on Port Moody!
Show that we are not only the City of the Arts ( and now it seems, "crafts"), but also one that values youth outdoor sports.
At the very least, do not let Inlet Park slip into the role of a parking lot!
Jim Nelson
Port Moody
