Dear editor:
That wave of discontent sweeping over Cochrane will hopefully rock the foolhardy push for a $45.6-million aquatic centre and curling rink.
Letters to the paper are just a small indication of citizens’ unhappiness with the financial implications of the project.
Kudos to councillor Morgan Nagel for his courageous and cool-headed stand against that kind of spending. Because of the short time period allowed, organizing a petition for a plebiscite on the money bylaw will be tough. Instead, let’s challenge the ‘group of six’ councillors, who are so cock-sure with their mocking justifications, to initiate themselves a plebiscite on the largest single expenditure in the history of Cochrane.
Here’s a reprise of some reasons why:
- The town projects $230 million in capital commitments in its 10-year plan. For a period, the aquatic centre commitment means debt would be at 95 per cent of the town’s legal borrowing limit. Would you tolerate such a tiny margin with your personal finances?
- Some of the other capital items are already known to be undervalued. The cost implications of the transportation study have not been finalized. Approving the aquatic/curling centre in its current configuration puts the town into a potentially disastrous financial squeeze.
- Belief that Cochrane could avoid the deficits incurred by virtually every pool in existence is still unproven. The commercial space rental plan is a dream – and a perverse use of public money. Look at all the unused commercial space and land in Cochrane today.
- Delaying other projects for the sake of the centre leaves them vulnerable to the same inflationary spiral councillors are worried about for the centre.
- It is unreasonable to base payment on unwavering growth of six per cent a year. Booms and busts have been a constant of history – even in Alberta.
- Fundraising has been a bust. Let’s get details of the “irons in the fire” we’ve read about. Suggesting that, if the fundraising fails, the town could turn to more tax dollars is a bright, red flag to even the most docile taxpayer.
- The Rocky View County contribution of $2.2 million, less than five per cent of the cost, is an insult.
Because the mayor has led the charge on this madcap ‘lazy river’ scheme, it’s worth noting that, due to low turnout and a three-way split in the last election, just one in seven Cochrane people actually cast a ballot for him.
He should acknowledge his mandate limitations and hear from the voters on this massive project.
Bring on the plebiscite!
Andy Marshall
