Dear Editor,
Now I don’t have anything against arenas and swimming pools, my grandsons play lacrosse and our son played hockey. What I can’t understand is why the only professional ball field we have, that is in a scenic and historic location, one that has had millions of dollars spent on it would be destroyed. I believe the federal government kicked in a million dollars. I imagine they will think twice about giving Maple Ridge that kind of money again. And how much has been spent on maintenance? And bulldoze it? How does baseball not count any more? This is somewhere people can go to enjoy watching a game in the evening or daytime that doesn’t cost money.
This Hammond area with the ball fields is a beautiful peaceful green area with a playground, outdoor basketball court for teens to use and it is well used by people walking their dogs, meeting up, and people just strolling with family and friends.
And apparently the city wants to replace it with indoor arenas and pools and concrete parking. Not an upgrade to the environment I think. All that grass contributes to the health of the city. This is the only sizeable public green space in the area. It can’t be replaced.
How does the song go? Take paradise and put up a parking lot?
I think arenas belong where they aren’t a blight on the neighbourhood.
Julia Lloyd, Maple Ridge
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