Editor:
Re: Public just a pawn in this game, letter to the editor, April 29
Like most Tsawwassen residents, I read with interest the plans being undertaken by Century Group with respect to the update for the Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall area.
Certainly this mall has long outlived its usefulness despite numerous changes over the years; to say "it works fine" is like saying the Canadian Senate "works fine." Both are in need of a major overhaul.
I am certainly not entirely sure that Tsawwassen needs, wants or should approve a 20-storey residential building - that would be an enormous change to the character of the town. Redeveloping the property, however, to include more green space, more much needed residential options and opportunity for merchants to continue to operate is long overdue.
Thrifty Foods/Sobey's is bursting at the seams. It was built as a foray onto the mainland that proved a huge success. If a redeveloped property could house and expanded store, why would that be a bad thing?
Mixing residential and commercial has been a successful combination for centuries in Europe and in big cities around the world. One might argue this would represent the best chance for Tsawwassen merchants to continue to operate profitably with the pending opening of the TFN malls.
I must say, however, I am surprised not only at the reaction and childish commentary written in the letter to the editor, but also surprised the Optimist would choose to print such drivel that seems to be more of a personal attack against an individual rather than a constructive argument or statement of personal opinion on a project that is still in the planning phase.
Mark Schoeffel
