I feel strongly that to build the LVEC as proposed at Anglin Bay would be a mistake:
(1) No valid reason has been given for the choice of this site. It seems to have been an inspiration of the Task Force, who in their report did not explain the choice beyond saying that it is a spectacular site. Does the LVEC need a spectacular site? The proposed building bears no relation to the waterfront; the waterfront is better used for other purposes. A comparison is required of the needs of the LVEC and what different sites have to offer.
(2) A key question is traffic and parking. A report on this is expected in March but plans for the LVEC at this site appear to be proceeding without waiting for this report. The estimates so far of the parking that can be provided are completely inadequate to the needs, and overestimate the willingness of the majority of the public to walk from their cars to the arena. The use of buses is important but in our car-oriented society we cannot expect an immediate major switchover to bus travel.
(3) The LVEC at this site would cause loss of vigorous water-related industry. The site plan published in the Whig shows maintenance of the drydock but loss of the adjacent area where many boats are stored and marine facilities are located. It is quite naive to suppose that the drydock could continue to function without the adjacent land for facilities and storage.
(4) The downtown business community appears to be assuming that an LVEC in this site would stimulate business activity. I seriously doubt this. I believe that people attending events at the LVEC would only rarely do other business in the area, except, sometimes, for eating and drinking. I believe that, on the contrary, the traffic and parking jam that the LVEC would cause would be detrimental to downtown business. Looking at what has happened in other cities should be informative on this question.
(5) Building the LVEC at this site appears to be linked to sale of the Memorial Centre land for housing development. I believe that this would be a serious mistake. Once an area the size of the Memorial Centre lands has been preserved in the middle of a city, it will become more and more valuable for public use as time passes and the city continues to grow. It should be kept for public use in perpetuity. Looking at the history of parks in other cities - starting with Central Park in New York - confirms this.
This should be enough. The Steering Committee should take a completely fresh view of what Kingston needs and the sites available - including the Memorial Centre and others - and draw well-reasoned conclusions.
Gerard Wyatt