In response to Coun. John Vassilaki’s final solution to the Penticton Marina, I would like to offer some notes that might alter John’s radical suggestions.
I quote from a brief historical analysis given to me by Bernie Strohmann. The property was acquired in the late 1960s and both the provincial and federal governments were involved. The members were given authority to infill the very swampy area. A tunnel was being driven above the present dump site to bring water through to the orchards adjacent to the lake. The early members organized the dumping of the hundreds of loads of rock into the area that now contains the tennis courts, clubhouse and parking areas.
The PYTC clubhouse is insured for $700,000, the tennis courts and lighting would be valued at $500,000 and the other parking areas of the marina (recently completed) would be valued at least at $35,000.
Surely, our good ambitious councillor must recognize that this is a lot of asset “to bulldoze and take off to the dump”. All that we would have would look like a war zone after the last big air strike. As one prominent businessman in the city said to me, “And another big empty lot in the city” ... etc.
While the tennis members of the PYTC can understand that the city seems to want to “develop a full distribution type tenant (?)” in the courts area, they would be prepared to move to another site in the city of four courts and a clubhouse. The citizens of Penticton should know that we offer lessons in tennis and sailing to all age groups. In June, there was a big tournament for 5-13 year olds. Our range of members ages are from 17 to 92 and the club has tennis engagements that are international in focus.
There are so many empty lots in the city, uncompleted apartment buildings, multi-storey developments yet to start. Do the citizens deserve another wasteland?
Coun. Vassilaki should study the ideas of his fellow countrymen 2,400 years ago. Their ideas gave light to the world. I refer to Socrates and Plato.
Vince Rabbitte, Commodore
Penticton Yacht & Tennis Club