There are two very serious issues being hotly debated by the public and in Saanich council chambers, about Cedar Hill Park.
One is the proposed clay tennis courts and the other is a strata housing development on the duck habitat and wetlands of King’s Pond.
Both issues impact directly on two great watersheds in the CRD: Bowker Creek and the Colquitz River. These issues are needlessly upsetting for scores of Saanich residents and ratepayers.
Both issues are polarizing communities and pitting well meaning citizens against each other, developers and municipal council. Discussions at city hall have been contentious. Our faith in our fellow citizens and politicians is being eroded by the day.
The lack of a master park plan for Cedar Hill Park is a very real contributing factor in the animosity that is poisoning the air in Saanich and beyond. The lack of master park plan leaves council and the public without clear guidelines upon which decisions can be made.
It is time to declare a moratorium on any development that will impact green space, wetland and adjacent areas of Cedar Hill Park.
We need to be respectful of all stakeholders; Saanich ratepayers, park users, tennis players, environmentalists, developers, the CRD, mayor, council and Saanich staff.
The upcoming civic election is the perfect democratic platform to hold impartial, thorough and transparent discussions around the clay courts, King’s Pond and Cedar Hill Park.
Andy Ruszel
Saanich