I am writing to support Alex Currie’s letter in the Aug. 19 PNR. I read in it a view opposing the Gateway shopping mall. I agree with him and think he spoke very well to the need to not just go for it. It’s just more difficult to remove or limit something once it’s there so I believe that caution and consideration are needed before something is built.
I was born in Vancouver, raised in Coquitlam, went to grad school and worked professionally in Calgary for my adult life before retiring to North Saanich. I believe I can therefore provide information from my own observation and experience.
In Coquitlam I lived in a district which went from quite rural to totally suburban. From the mid 1950s until the mid 1980s, many good things (like a bus system) were added and more bad things just happened (like four lane roads that were used inappropriately because they were there). I recognize change happens so we all have to deal with it but don’t think its a good idea to build a mall just because the authority that owns the land (or has it in trust?) wants to.
Now is the time decisions can be made but its our children and grandchildren who will have to put up with the consequences.
Are growth and progress inexorably linked?
Louise Parsons, North Saanich