A10 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 21, 1998 ~wew et sme By JEFF NAGEL ‘WE DESPERATELY need more recreation facilities. ‘But we don’t want to pay much for them. ‘And whatever does get built should serve every- one -— not just those who oan afford an expensive sport. Those are some of the themes that come through in nore than 60 pages of com- ents that local people scribbled down on the com- munity recreation facility need survey circulated in the summer. ‘City councillors have just been issued the final report of the parks and recreation commission that carried out the survey. The report’s main recom- mendation is development of a multiple use facility that blends a community centre/youth centre with a second sheet of ice. The fa- cility could also serve as a mini-convention centre, Aad that may be a win- ning strategy, judging from the comments of many who wrote in. “Tt would be willing te pay more if it was a multi-use complex,”’ wrote one survey respondent. **Multi-use facility is im- portant to get broad support of taxpayers,”’ said another. to pay higher taxes, and sug- gested cither donations, fund-raising or corporate sponsorship should pay the bulk of the cost. “T would like to see these facilities privately built and run,”’ one person wrote, ‘“‘No increase to taxes,”’ wrole another. ‘‘Look to user fees,”’ “JT don’t have spare money, It takes all I’ve got to keep poing,”’ said anoth- er. “it’s time for a proper parks/recreation budget that does not just concenirate on skating and swimming,” said one person who filled out a survey. “Taxes here are high enough!’ wrote another. “It's time for a proper parks/recreation budget that does not just concentrate on skating and swimming.”’ A smaller number said the price is worth it because it would give kids something positive to do. “If we can keep a couple of kids out of the justice system it would be cheap,” one person wrote. referendum in 1995 was the idea that all taxpayers would subsidize what struck many as an elite activity that only a minority of parents could afford. That sentiment still came through clearly in the com- ments. “We have had one referendum and the com- munity has spoken. It does not support the clite few,” wrote one person. “Any facility provided to the community shauld be of use for everyone, not just an elite group,’ wrote another. “There should be en- conragement of various cul- tural programs, arts progams. Not everyone is a hockey nut or a soccer nut.” “Terrace has a large pop- ulation of people who can’t even afford to send their children io hockey or figure skating,” said another, Many of those people raised trails and parks as low-cost alternatives that can be used by people of every income level. “1 support parks and trails as almost all of cur popula- tion — young and old, rich and poor — can enjoy them at no cost except once through our taxes,”’ wrote one person. “I'd prefer a more multi-use centre that youth and others can use over a second sheet of ice. And a couple more Tim free to users — all income levels can participate,’’ said another, ‘‘Youngsters sced io be introduced to the natu- ral world very early so (hey learn to care about nature and to respect the miracles of the natural world.”’ A large number of respon- dents urged creation of more trails to take advantage of the city’s natural setling and said it’s time to plan now before ai] the available land for such projects dis- sappears, ““We need to secure now before it is too late a green belt of wild trees and bush surrounding town,’’ said one person. Advocates of more trails often had specific sites in mind. “City council should try to purchase acreage along Skeena and Sprint Creek and along Terrace Mountain (even outside of city bound- aries) for future park sites,"” said one respondent. Several mentioned the idea of a trail network Link- ing existing trails to one along the river shore south of Graham Ave. Others suggested protect- ing and enhancing the Howe Creek area, Ferry Island, and the Terrace Mountain trail. "Set aside land for parks and hiking trails, even if funds for development are not currently available. No inore development on Ter- race Mountain trail, please,’’ said one respon- dent. “Fet’s: all enjoy the Skeena River,” urged an- other. ‘‘The walking bridge over the CN track would improve safety and allow We want a multi-use rec centre access to the river trails.”’ “There should be greater emphasis on the gems of Terrace — Ferry Island and the Howe Creek Trail,”” said another. Others accused the city of vacillating on the issue, “Quit wasting money on surveys, Build something,” said one survey. “The public looks to its elected council members for guidance on these matters,”’ added another. ‘‘No sitting on the fence like they did on second sheet of ice proposal.’’ But many survey respon- dents expressed reluctance Te eae I SOS Se One of the downfalls of the second sheet of Hortons|’” ice “Wilderness and trails are SKATING AND D hokey may be fine for some but other Terrace residents have equally as strong opinions about what's needed to improve recreation. Let’s go tobogganing HERE'S A RUNDOWN of a other ideas and comments from citizens who filled in their surveys: Bi ‘‘A toboggan hill is a low-cost idea but would provide excellent winter activity for all ages, Many communities across Canada maintain a groomed hill.’”’ mm ‘‘Buy the highways maintenance yard from the provincial government for $1 for recreation site.” i ‘Use school facilities throughout sum- mer months and especially gyms for youth/adults.”” @ “‘I cannot get over the lack of green space downtown. Study after study shows green space creates community for a town. Terrace is becoming very people unfriend- ly. Citizens should be first priority — not businesses.” W@ ‘Terrace is a northern town with very long winters. We therefore need indoor recreation facilities to encourage new- comers to setile here and to encourage young pcopie to take part in sports instead of hanging around pool halls and street corners.”? Ma ‘'Main street needs to be revitalized and updated, This town is grubby and desperately needs cleaning up. I commend the Beautification Society for their ef- forts.’’ B@ ‘‘Where I grew up it would be unthink- able that children would be denied the op- portunity to play minor hockey because citizens are too cheap to pay a few dollars a month.” @ ‘My wife and [ have three sons which are very involved in sports, I don’t enjoy getting up at 4 a.m. for hockey practice.’’ Wi ‘There is more to recreation than a new hockey rink,’’ a ‘(Make a law that says any property that is to be developed must be landscaped to some degree and have limits on how many trees are cut, Keep Tertace green!” “We feel outside facilities are very im- OM rtanl Children and adults need these for exercise (walking, biking, hiking). Every- thing is geared for indoor activity and there is enough skating/hockey/swimming facilities provided already by the tax- payer.” WM ‘Plant more trees. Stop construction of ugly buildings. Pass law against loud boom box vehicles downtown. Fine: $1,000.” WM ‘Terrace has so much natural beauty. let’s capitalize on this and allow us as citizens to enjoy our environment.” im ‘‘Let’s get that second shect so we are better able to compete with other cities. I’m willing to pay a little extra to have my child compete in Canada’s game. They're build- ing them in the States so Ict’s try and keep up —- il’s our game,” Ww ‘A new center is needed to keep up with the times and the growth this city is going to experience.” i “There is nothing for kids in Thorahill to do, anywhere In Thomhill.’’ i ‘‘I believe we need to offer many options to our youth and these must suit all kids. The kids that require these facilities the most are the kids who are on the fringe and hanging around town, not the mainstream hockey players. I also believe that hiking trails and green space is an affordable, low maintenance option, I see many people of all ages using the few trails that are current- ly available around town.” @ ‘This city sucks to live in when you are a teenager, All there really is to do is stand outside of Chalky’s and watch fights.’’ i ‘‘More than one third of the people using the facilities in Terrace are from Thornhill. 1 would like to see more in Thornhill than just Terrace’s garbage.” @ ‘‘Outer areas — Thornhill Lakelse Lake, etc, — should pay more than they do now. We should run our facilities as a profit based business whet it gocs beyond City of Tertace taxpayers.’” Ready-to- Assemiliie Furniture Chaose {rom bookcases, desks and chairs, entertalnament centres & stands, bedroom dressers, night stands & morel Shown are just a few Vertical Blinds x 94" Sewn wel ror ta arth Funtor Gren, wns Ae all $80.89 Entertainment centre in Oak ack: Steno chair AS. $38.99 SALE ENDS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28th ir stock Heme only...come Hite spply. Na Ralnchecks. No Al Skeena Mall 4741 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace 638-1196 & lo existing Layaways or previous 7, a fewnens ~)