The Editor,
Re. “90 teams, not enough fields in Port Moody” (Opinion, The Tri-City News, Sept. 27).
Jim Nelson’s editorial begs for a bit of a reality check, so here it goes.
Firstly, where in the world is Port Moody going to find the space for a few more full-sized soccer fields?
Will this mean that parks and forests already existing within established neighbourhoods will again be clear cut to make way for playing fields, complete with hideous “Mars Attacks” floodlights perched atop poles so tall that they shine into the bedrooms of established homes a stones throw away until 11 p.m. each night?
This actually happened to residents in Anmore, when development of the playing fields and the two new schools gobbled up part of Bert Flinn Park. I don’t think one has to have a crystal ball to see that Bert Flinn Park has a very tenuous grip on existence, what with the need for a route to the all-important Ioco lands, more sports amenities and even more luxury homes so high on various wish lists.
As Mr. Nelson mentioned in his piece, Eagle Mountain middle was developed without its own playing fields. However, having worked for School District 43, he should also know that the school has a large undeveloped piece of land on its southeastern boundary, which could possibly be used for a soccer field. The only problem is that it sits right next to a large sewage drainage field, which is a bit off-putting.
But then Heritage Mountain secondary and the adjacent playing fields had already been constructed directly below the sewage treatment plant that services said field, and that didn’t seem to put anyone off — not even the students who regularly trek through the area as a short-cut to the Heritage Mountain area of Port Moody, cutting holes in various fences to do so!
Secondly, with land so scarce and expensive, why should it be used for only one type of sporting activity? And why should it have to be an open-air facility? Wouldn’t a multi-purpose, covered facility be of much more use? What about building a real aquatic centre with an Olympic-sized swimming pool that could be used for all ages all year and maybe provide Canada with some future Olympians?
Anything except affordable housing!
Sandy Meyer
Anmore
