When Chatham-Kent council meets Monday night to discuss a move of municipal operations to the former Sears building, councillors need to decide if they’re going to meet the needs of the community or bow to the wishes of a vocal but misguided minority.
From the day the Chatham-Kent Community Hub project was announced, there has been a concerted effort to stop it, no matter what it took.
The Hub is designed to replace the Civic Centre, Chatham branch of the library and museum.
Opponents initially accused developer Rob Myers and his group of profiteering. When Myers announced the creation of a $5 million foundation for the benefit of the museum and library, he was accused of trying to “buy” council votes.
Opponents said the project was part of a plot to close rural municipal service locations while paradoxically claiming it was designed to increase staff.
Some opposed the project because the community has other needs, somehow believing there will be a time when there aren’t other needs.
There has been misinformation and disinformation spread on social media. The integrity of municipal staff, consultants and those who favour the project has been called into question by self-styled experts who want council to abandon its role and call a referendum on the matter.
We had a referendum. We elected council to carry out its duties. Councillors have a duty to consult. They do not have a duty to capitulate.
There have been legitimate questions about the project, but is becoming obvious that if a new facility was built and donated, it wouldn’t be enough to appease some of these people.
Let’s be blunt. The Civic Centre is a dump. Its heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems are deficient and it fails by any measure of being accessible.
We’re in this position because previous councils have always bowed to pressure and refused to invest in the building. It is no longer prudent to do so.
Times change, needs change. The Civic Centre is no exception. It is not some holy grail.
We urge councillors to do what’s best for the entire community and show they won’t be bullied. The project must be moved forward, and with it, the revitalization of downtown Chatham.
To refuse to do so based on nostalgia and a lack of vision would be a disservice to the community.
Good evening, I have just read the article regarding the new Hub, under “Opinion”. It’s is very informative to say the least, and I have confess that I have not read the architect/engineers report, and I expect the project will proceed. The only thought that comes to mind is your comment regarding the condition of the existing Civic Centre. If my memory is correct when it was designed by a highly regarded architect, it was designed to last 100 years, and at that time there was a lot of people against it being built. Your statement implied that it was pretty much worn out. Since the Civic Centre was built in 1977/78, and the Downtown Shopping Centre in 1982/83, what makes it a better built structure, especially when Cambridge Malls were constructing malls as fast as possible, (get them built, and get them occupied was the philosophy ) with little concern for life expectancy. Just curious, please comment, you must have a answer.
Bill, the fact the municipality has not maintained the Civic Centre is what prompted the “dump” comment. Council for many years has declined to do important maintenance on the facility, bringing it down to the condition it is in today. With the former Sears building, it will essentially be torn back to the studs and built to spec.
Thanks for your response.