Editor:
I take issue with the letter to the editor on Nov. 27 by Jane Hopkins (“Parks are for everyone”), regarding the directing of some of funds from a reserve pool the Town of Gibsons has from developers, towards the development of the public market. On the one hand she states the project is “exciting … co-owned (by the Town), non-profit … and will be a boon to Lower Gibsons,” whereas in the next breath she states it is “essentially a commercial destination … suited to monied locals and tourists.”
This flies in the face of the vision of the market as a gathering place, a centre for local eco-marine education and food education with the community kitchen. It fosters the growth of local agriculture. As such, it has the financial support of the Town, many private donors, local businesses, the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation and the Community Futures fund. However, some grants are time limited, if the application is not accessed shortly. In short, the opportunity is here, and the time is now.
In contrast, the parklands trust fund has been idle for 25 years, and is regularly being topped up. Currently, Gibsons has 3.5 hectares of designated parkland/1,000 residents, well above the B.C. average. The educational vision of the public market increases our awareness of our local natural environment and fosters a sense of connectedness. While public parks come in many diverse forms, they are designed for similar purposes: public rest, play, recreation, enjoyment and assembly. To not see this investment in the market as meeting this purpose is small-minded.
Rainer Borkenhagen, Gibsons
