nny Volume 77 Issue No.17 TheReview Wednesday, May 8,1991 — A6 Commonwealth Games: Benefit Knows no boundaries Time stops for no one and no one knows that better than the organizers of the 1994 Commonwealth Games,,. In a presentation to Central Saanich council, Common- wealth Games Society vice president Jim Reid said the Games will begin in just 39 months. There’s not a lot of time before the Games will be upon us and a lot of work remains to be done. The society has been busy with preparations — securing funding from major governments and corporate sponsors and finalizing venues and construction of major new facilities. At council Monday, the public could assume the society’s intention was to convince council that spending $99,000 over four years is economically responsible. Council’s finance committee will consider that question next Monday. The committee will do well during their consideration to remember Reid’s statement that “there is no geographic boundary to the benefit.” Although local governments focus on local affairs, just like the community newspaper focuses specifically on the community it serves, residents and readers generally don’t pay a lot of attention to municipal borders. An aquatics centre planned for Royal Oak will take pressure off the Panorama Leisure Centre. Users of the new facility won’t really care that they are in the municipality of Saanich while they slide down the water slide or go for a new personal best in the 200-metre breaststroke. But facilities are just a taste of the icing. The real cake is in the economic spin-off. A society volunteer and member of the board of directors, Ted Semmens, brought to light some real benefits that will be derived from the Games, as he sees them. On a personal level, Semmens is looking forward to seeing the Queen or Her representative. “I like royalty and I want to participate in that feeling,” he said. But there is also an economic reason. Semmens, who lived in Montreal in 1975 Gust prior to the Olympics) doesn’t want to see a deficit result That’s when the society’s presentation got into numbers — big numbers. Although it will cost about $76 million to operate the Games, plus an expenditure of about $47.4 million on capital improvement costs, estimates say that about $480 million worth of economic and investment activity will be generated. So far the federal government has committed $50 million, the province kicked in $36 million and Greater Victona municipalities were being asked for $6 million. Apparently, Metchosin and Langford councils have already said ~ Yes.” Naive people may wonder what benefit Central Saanich can realize from hundreds of athletes visiting Greater Victoria for a relatively short period of time in 1994. Having the “best aquatic facility in Canada” about ten minutes down the Pat Bay Highway is a big Selling point. One must also consider that 460 jobs will be created in the tourism sector, providing wages so desperately needed by struggling students. Semmens sees the Games as a buffer from the recession and there is already evidence to support him. Two tenders already let for construction of facilities were awarded to local companies, although Vancouver and American interests made competitive bids. “The most important thing 1s that it’s a clean legacy,” Reid said. Sport and recreation harms no one and helps many. The Games are coming to this area in 1994 and Central Saanich will get a piece of the estimated $480 million economic boom. Central Saanich should be a part of-the winning team. TheReview Serving The Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9726 1st Street Sidney, B.C V8L 3C9 or PO. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C V8L 3S5 Second Class Mail Registration #0128 Published every Wednesday 656-1151 Publisher: Vic Swan Editor: Glenn Werkman AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER NERIFIED CiIRCULAT-ON ~ CONTROLLED { wu 4 ae sidney School holding reunion Editor: As a longtime resident of the area, formerly with the School Board office for several years, I have been asked to serve on a committee to invite former stu- dents of the old Sidney School, located on Fourth Street, to join us in a reunion planned for Septem- ber 20th to 22nd. Sidney wants to honor these former students at this reunion and several interesting events are being planned during Sidney’s 100th birthday celebration. How about taking the time, nght away, in contacting either — Row- ena Nunn, 9045 Lochside Dr., Sidney, B.C. V8L 1N1 — 656- 2229: Bea Richmond, 1365 Read- ings Drive, Sidney, B.C. V8L 3X9 — 656-2471. Please look up any interesting photos you may have, tb add to the interest of assembled students, and if you know of any of your former classmates, kindly bring our search to their attention and ask them to get in touch with either Rowena or Bea Richmond. We’re looking forward to seeing a large number of you for this reunion! - Bea Bond Sidney Users should pay to ease conditions Editor: A few days ago I had occasion to visit the emergency ward at Saa- nich Peninsula Hospital. As I sat waiting, I watched one doctor and three or four nurses try to attend to a steady stream of patients. There wasn’t enough room and I’m sure they could have used some help. But to expand the emergency ward, provide needed equipment and more people costs money — lots of money! I remember a few years ago I paid a user fee when I went to emergency. I paid gladly because I couldn’t think of anywhere I could get better value for my money. Unfortunately, our friends in Ottawa saw fit to make user fees illegal. This is really a pity. Giving money directly to the hospital is the most economically efficient way of funding hospital needs because of your dollar, all 100 cents go to work at the hospital — no middle man (read politician or government employee) to support. I propose user fees be reinstated on a voluntary basis. Anyone who visits the hospital and appreciates the kind and helpful service received could simply drop a don- ation to the Hospital Foundation in the box provide in the hospital lobby; or, mail it in the postage paid envelope provided. ~ Last year, the hospital’s out- patient services were used some 120,000 times. A donation of just $10 per visit would provide funds for the hospital of well over a million dollars. Let’s help support and encour- age the continuation of the great resources we enjoy at Saanich Peninsula Hospital while estab- lishing a fund to provide some of the hospital’s and our future - needs. L.W. Page Saanichton Province created conflict of interest Editor: I am very concemed about the difficulties my community is hav- ing over the acquisition of a suita- ble site for a new middle school in Central Saanich. I got the message from our School District 63 board that the Education Ministry, in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance, only provides a minimum budget to fund site purchases. As a result, our board feels it can only recommend sites that are zoned agricultural, since proper- ties with this zoning designation have deflated prices in relation to their actual market value should that zoning be removed. We are a rural area and the agricultural lands here are some of the best quality lands in the prov- ince. Some of these land pieces have not yet been utilized agricul- turally, That does not mean their ~ use and even the necessity for their use will not be a reality tomorrow or for generations to come. It is against the best interests of the province to reduce its relatively small agricultural base. The prov- ince’s funding policy for site acquisitions is doing exactly that. Lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve are being targeted as site proposals. This situation clearly indicates the conflict of interest that exists at the provincial level. One provincial body, i.e. the Land Commission, is being undermined by other provincial bodies, i.e. the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance. Certainly cost is an important factor when considering sites. school boards should follow min- istry directives to acquire appro- plate sites at a fair market value since all taxpayers share these costs. ; Tt, however, does not follow that agricultural lands must then be targeted to achieve these ends. Agricultural lands are, im fact, deflated in value ONLY to make it possible for farmers to purchase enough acreage to run a viable business, NOT to provide a land bank of inexpensive sites for school boards. In summary I would like to emphasize Ministry funding poli- cies have wrongly created a con- flict of interest at the provincial level and thereby a conflict at the municipal level. Policy must be changed to elimi- nate these conflicts and school boards should be advised they will receive appropriate funding for sites that are at fair market value. Helene Ellis Brentwood Bay Take care, sweei bird! Editor: It is time to remind those of us that live around Roberts Bay, that this is a bird sanctuary; and there- fore the use of chemical sprays in our gardens should be very care- fully considered. It is wise to watch Helen Lang’s column for other solutions than poisons. However, we cannot spare our birds from all problems! “Take care sweet bird! Don’t tell me where you nest— For furry friend with greedy, lips, Who moves in Stealth, With steelspring hips Lies near!” J. Stewart Sidney Continued on Page A8 (IT'S DIFFICULT BEING A CARTOONIST WHEN REALIT7 | © KEEPS PRODUCING MORE "WEIRD IDEAS THAN Z D0.) You'LL BAUE TO TOP THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS JUST ee gras ee GREATER VICTORIA’ JORDAN RIVER... AND GENERATING ELECTRICITY WITH IT... ee