Presentation to Victoria City Council
by Lynn Smith,
Strata Council Chair of the Savoy Condominiums
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Victoria City Council Meeting,
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Your Worship and Council:
My name is Lynn Smith. My address is 701-777 Blanshard Street and I am the Strata Council Chair of The Savoy Condominiums on the corner of Fairfield and Blanshard Streets.
I am here to speak in favour of retaining Cridge Park and the green space that the CP Lawn Bowling Club now leases.
As you are aware, the nature of the landscape in the Humboldt Valley has changed dramatically over the last few years with an increase in density which has had a major impact on our neighbourhood. In the past five years there have been nine concrete towers constructed within a 1½ block radius of the Savoy and there are still more to come. While I can understand the need for residential development in the downtown core, I feel my neighbourhood has done it’s share in furthering that goal.
My opinion is that the proposed plan to build on the Cridge Park and bowling green is ill-conceived. These green spaces provide a respite from the concentration of concrete that has overtaken our neighbourhood and they add a visual balance for the historic Church of Our Lord. They are a vital component of the green corridor that was planned from the Inner Harbour through to St. Ann’s Academy and contribute to the canopy of trees that has reportedly been diminishing in our region. The serendipity of finding a lawn bowling green in the downtown core is one of the little jewels that makes Victoria uniquely itself.
I have heard the criticism that the park provides a venue for anti-social behaviour but if this were the criterion for replacing parkland with concrete towers then we would have to build on the north aspect of St. Ann’s Academy, as well as the park east of the Land Titles Office, not to mention the area around the cemetery near Christ Church Cathedral or Beacon Hill Park, for that matter. As the additional residential units in our neighbourhood become occupied, Cridge Park, if maintained and adequately lit, could become a gathering place for locals rather than those who display anti-social behaviour.
The concentration of development approved by City Council for this rather small geographic area has been overwhelming for the residents already established there and it is time to consider other areas in the downtown core. While the Art Gallery may need a satellite location there are other options that do not remove valued parkland.
Which brings to mind the question: When did the citizens of Victoria give City Council the mandate to develop our parks?
Council’s proposed development of Cridge Park and the bowling green is an important enough issue to my community that it needs public debate and input. Please put this discussion on the public agenda for everyone’s perusal.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak this evening.