One Arena. One Pool.

It appears that a grassroots movement by some citizens in Paradise to have one arena and a pool in lieu of the present proposal of two arenas is gaining momentum. For years, citizens had been asking for an arena and for a town with a population of 17,000 and growing, it needed one. The provincial government announced money for the project and we’re grateful to have it.

But somewhere along the line the plan morphed into two arenas at a cost of $20 million. Paradise does not need two arenas given that the Glacier in Mt. Pearl has been expanded to two ice surfaces and CBS is building another two rinks for a total of three. That’s a lot of frozen water.

Instead of two rinks, why not a rink and a pool? There is a huge demand for pool time in the North East Avalon. Paradise residents have to go to St. John’s, Mt. Pearl or CBS for swimming lessons. And we usually have to take times the other justifications don’t want as their residents get first crack at the convenient times - and rightly so. Many parents in Paradise can tell stories of having to line up at the wee hours to get swimming times. But there’s more than a need for just swimming lessons. A pool is a great way to exercise and can be used by people of all ages.

A pool and a rink make much more sense than two pools. Below is an excerpt of a letter being circulated to ask Council and the Paradise Arena Committee to explore the idea of building an arena with one ice surface instead of two, so that leftover funds could be used to construct a pool. While the town is in need of a fire hall - along with other facilities and upgrades - that money does not come from Recreation funding.

“In the beginning we set out to build an arena that was $9 million, which eventually grew into $14 million dollars (figures are approx.). The idea of a "Regional" facility was pitched, which would accommodate our Town and the surrounding areas. This grew into a facility that would house two ice surfaces. At the end, we wound up with $20 million! In our opinion, Paradise will not see this mass amount of funding for Recreation in the foreseeable future. So why not make it stretch? Why not create the Multiplex now? Why not build a "regional" arena with one ice surface and build a pool? Now that the Town of C.B.S received the same amount of funding, there will be two brand new arenas constructed, along with the existing Robert French Memorial Arena. That's three ice surfaces in the same area, so to speak. The Town of Paradise's population continues to explode and a pool is in desperate need as well. We believe the majority of the Town's residents would be quite happy to see one ice surface and a pool, rather than two ice surfaces and no pool. We feel reasonably certain that the MHA's would be receptive to the pool/arena scenario as they know that the residents have already voiced the necessity of a pool. We believe that the Province would entertain the idea of changing the use of the funds. An MHA may look at this as a very positive initiative because it will only be a matter of time before the request comes in for a pool. We are in need of BOTH facilities. If the pool is not built with this funding then when will it happen?

We ask that this idea be addressed with all committee members, including Council. We are very lucky to receive this funding. We are not challenging the proposed arena, just merely suggesting that we explore our options and make the best use out of the funds received. Lets make sure that the decision is one that is in the Town's best interest. All opinions and suggestions are welcomed.”

A Factory of Sadness

This pretty much sums up my feelings of my beloved Browns this season. Sigh.

And yes, I'll see you Sunday. Go Browns.

Sleep...Precious Sleep

It’s early on Saturday morning and I can’t sleep. I should be able to after a long week, but I can’t. And I’ve had more of those days (or nights) recently than I care to remember. At first blush, you’d think it’s a bad thing, but I have been able to use the early morning hours constructively. Although, blogging hasn’t been one of them. Not that posting is unto itself constructive mind you, but it can be somewhat therapeutic.

No, I’ve been busy. And I think that sometimes when we are busy, we tend to dwell on things that may keep us awake or preoccupied - for lack of a better word. How busy? Busier that a bayman with two wood stoves busy. Last weekend, I bought a new laptop. Well, my wife bought it for me. It’s still in the box on my office floor. It’s a top of the line something or other, so I’m told. I really should boot it up later today.

In other news, I’m lead to believe that I’ll soon be a published writer – not that I deserve it. I entered a provincial short story competition and while I won’t win, I was told that my story would be included in a soon to be published anthology. When I look at some of the names of the other writers – not that I consider myself a writer mind you – I’m honoured. And knowing that Wise Web Woman – now there’s a writer – over at The Other Side Of Sixty is on the list, I’m humbled. Check out her blog if you get a chance, it’s well worth the read. She’s a gifted writer, I’m just lucky.

Despite my lack of posts over the past few months, I have found that blog traffic is still strong, which is somewhat surprising. A big thanks to those who regularly drop by. Sorry for the lack of posts, but like I said….

I have still been perusing some of my favourite local blogs. Peter over at Polemic & Paradox recently posted a fine piece on the Black Dog and how metal health issues have affected him and his family over the years. It’s a powerful, courageous post. These issues are ones that no one is immune to but few openly talk about. I know first hand how devastating mental health issues can be and have posted about my brother Paul on numerous occasions. I have a cousin who took his own life and my dad – one of the strongest people I knew – was hospitalised for depression many years ago.

Speaking of Paul, I’m still dropping by to see him on a regular basis, despite my busy schedule. I’m lucky to have him as a brother. Anyway, time to get the paper – a Saturday morning ritual for me. Hope to post more soon

Remembrance Day

Swamped

It’s been a while. Things have been crazy busy at work, this past week in particular, but today I finally get some down time. We’re having an annual golf tournament in honour of a friend who passed away in 2005. It’s a day to get out, have a good time and head to the Guv’nor Pub afterwards for a pint or two.

But seriously, it has been hectic. The new job is going well and I’m enjoying it, but there is a steep learning curve. The online course is taking up much more time than anticipated. It’s like I’m on call 24/7. But it too is a nice change from teaching in the traditional classroom - which I’m still doing by the way. A lot has happened since my last post. Apparently, there was a provincial election – who knew? Talks of amalgamation of Paradise and St. John’s have arisen again and thankfully died a quick death. Nothing against St. John’s – I love the place – but I’m not sure services would improve here in Paradise if we joined. Not that Paradise is Nirvana mind you. My beloved Browns continue to struggle. Sigh. Although I did win the Tely’s Football Pool a few weeks back and I’m near the top of the leader board despite missing week one. :)

Things are good on the home front. My wife’s **th birthday is next week and I’d like to take her out to a nice place for dinner. She didn’t think the “Let’s go to MacDonald’s” was funny at all.

Oh well, have to get ready for the tourney. As I type this, I’m sitting next to a stack of exams - knee high – that will just have to wait until Sunday. Sometimes you just got to get out there. Will post again soon – and hopefully more often.

The Over Development of Paradise

Sometimes – many times in fact – I tire of this town. Not of the people who live here, my friends and neighbours, but by the people who run the town. This includes most members on council and some senior staff at the town hall. Many times, residents are left scratching their collective heads at some of the decisions the mayor, council and town planner make. Many ask themselves whose interests the council is actually serving.

Take the development around Neil’s Pond, a once pristine setting, part on the Grand Concourse trail that is now bordered by – you guessed – high residential housing developments. On land that, you may have guessed again, was rezoned. Rezoning – a strategic part of the town’s five-year strategic plan, the one which the mayor proudly boosts. However, it is clearly flawed and the sad part about it, Mayor Wiseman and most councillors are too naïve to see the flaws in the plan.

2800 new housing developments around Octagon Pond? Seriously. This is a pristine, wooded area, ideal for a hike or jog, which many residents enjoy on a daily basis. But it’s going to change. And what’s with all the development? Some people are becoming rich off this with little or no regard for the environment. It’s build at all costs, where the council routinely rezones land, usually to high density residential – seemingly bowing to the developers – for the almighty tax dollar.

And this is its greatest failing. And ultimately will leave to the downfall of many on council today. People are tired of excuses and being forced to have wooded areas in their back yards cut down to make way for 50-lot subdivision on 50 by 100 foot lots. These people have lived here for generations, yet the lives are changed by a vote in council that appeases the councillors and developers.

Take the recent plan to rezone land in the Three Island Pond area that was supposed to be rezoned from rural to rural-high density residential. The backlash from area residents was swift and vocal. And rightly so. The vote to rezone was planned to be held earlier this week. I don’t know what the decision was, but I can hazard a guess. Hopefully, the area residents won this battle.

And why is it that many on council who campaigned to slow development have seemingly turned their backs on the concerns of residents?

With the numerous new developments, and more to come, we are starting to see a housing glut in Paradise. I counted ten for sale signs on my drive home yesterday, and eight had “Reduced Price” on the signs. If council doesn’t see that as a red flag, they are blind.

But what I really fail to understand is how council and the town planner are reactive as opposed to proactive when it comes to actually planning the town’s infrastructure needs. How many times do roads have to be changed after the fact? Take Karwood Drive, which is an extremely busy two-lane road connecting Topsail and Kenmouth Roads. It now has to be expanded to four lanes at a cost of 5-7 million of our tax dollars. Why not do this initially, especially given the fact that so many subdivisions are given the green light. And the present infrastructure cannot handle the increased traffic volume.

The planning is short sighted and embarrassing. It appears - and in politics optics is everything - that developers can do as the please and council will rubber-stamp anything developers want. One thing is certain, if the attitude of councillors does not change soon, many councillors will after the next election

Reduced Price!

Blog update soon...sorry about the sparse posting of late...up to my eyeballs with work. But the post will deal with the number of "Reduced Price" signs on houses for sale in Paradise. Yet council wants to build 600 more homes (2800 in total) around Octagon Pond? Something’s gotta give.