Editor:
Re: Delta getting out of the wedding business, June 27
Am I the only one who is disappointed by this decision?
Delta is sorely lacking in facilities for people who wish to celebrate events and weddings in their community.
I had an event booked for 2015, and as part of my contract, I agreed, happily, to the changes made to address concerns that had been raised and observed.
These changes included (but were not limited to) shortened event times, new music and noise regulations, and keeping the barn doors closed to muffle sounds.
There was a limit on how many weddings were allowed to be booked during the year and priority went to Delta residents and community-planned events (which is how it should be).
I understand why the neighbours are upset - the city did a poor job of communicating with them the full intent that they had for the barn.
However, the city has apologized and made many attempts to compromise. Because several people have the inability to see the potential such a space offers, at the end of 2014, we will have a multi-million dollar event space that will sit under-utilized and for the most part, unused.
Delta residents, I beseech you. See this barn as an opportunity to allow celebrations to happen where they are supposed to - close to home and in the community that they are a part of.
I don't believe that it is unrealistic (the city will be investing $90,000 on a berm for Ms. Sudbury and her neighbours regardless) to make a decision, as residents, regarding sensible changes to event times, alcohol consumption, and noise regulations so that we can together use the barn to its fullest potential.
How weddings and family celebrations are not considered under the umbrella of "community events" I will never know.
A. Best
