Today’s letters: Keep the Senators in Kanata, construct budget friendly real estate or a park at LeBreton Flats

Doubtful aids for billionaires

Re: Potential brand-new owner Ryan Reynolds makes 2nd journey to Ottawa as sale of Senators warms up, March 30

As amazing as it is to have a celeb in the area, can we discuss just how much individuals of Ottawa would want to subsidise the owners of sports franchises?

When Edmonton constructed a brand-new arena in 2016, city taxpayers contributed $226 million. In 2023, just how much would Ottawa taxpayers be prepared to invest in a brand-new arena for the Senators?

And let’s not forget that the owners of the RedBlacks and 67s have actually put in a proposition to redevelop the Lansdowne arena and arena. When that proposition was sent in 2021, it can be found in at $333 million. With building inflation and greater rates of interest, that’s most likely more detailed to $500 million in 2023.

In between these 2 tasks, are individuals of Ottawa all set to invest some $750 million subsidising billionaire sports owners?

Neil Saravanamuttoo, Ottawa

Senators must remain at the CTC

Re: LeBreton tune and dance is getting old, March 29.

While I generally concur with Bruce Garrioch’s viewpoints on sports matters, I just can’t accept his declaration that LeBreton Flats makes one of the most sense for a brand-new arena, in view of significant modifications in the Ottawa downtown scene because the pandemic.

The Canadian Tire Centre and the Senators have actually seen outstanding participation this year, consisting of more than 10 sell-out video games. The trick to success is a group that reveals wish for the future together with the retention of fan preferred gamers, which has actually not held true for the previous 6 years due to mismanagement of the group. The place is not a deterrent to fans, and in truth is an advantage due to its area simply off Hwy. 417. Even more, the present arena supplies among the very best fan experiences in the NHL.

Second, downtown has actually altered. It has actually been consistently taken control of, by protesters such as the truckers convoy and by state gos to by popular political leaders, with more of the exact same pending in the future. The work-from-home phenomenon, which will be a concern with public servant unions as they get ready for yet another strike, has actually led to closure of downtown shops and dining establishments and an unwillingness to live downtown. The core location has actually lost its appeal due to security issues in view of increasing criminal activity and varieties of often-aggressive homeless individuals and drug users.

LeBreton Flats is merely not downtown. It is not within strolling range for many downtown homeowners.

Third, the LRT, which would be the primary mode of travel to the arena, has actually shown to be undependable. It is uncertain that fans investing numerous dollars on tickets will wish to depend on it to get to and from the video games, especially in winter season. Parking and automobile access to LeBreton flats will be restricted due to the place.

The Kanata location consisting of Stittsville, Carp and Richmond is quickly growing with numerous rich individuals who can manage Senators tickets. There are lots of dining establishments and facilities near to the Canadian Tire Centre. Ideally it will be served by LRT eventually in the future

No, LeBreton Flats is not the location for an arena. Rather, it ought to be established as a gorgeous park, in keeping with comparable parks present in the majority of first-rate capital cities.

Ray Dawes, Barry’s Bay

Construct inexpensive real estate, not an arena, at LeBreton Flats

Re: LeBreton tune and dance is getting old, March 29.

Since your homes were expropriated and taken down in the 1960s, Ottawa has actually discussed what to do with this piece of home. Concepts have actually reoccured. And there it sits. A real estate crisis continues to grow.

There is an abundance of high-end condominiums and rentals in this city. Why does not Ottawa return Le Breton Flats to its working-class roots and devote it to economical or social real estate in the kind of townhouses and low-to-mid-rise apartment?

Yes, there is less cash to be made by designers. Would not it be worth it to avoid the disaster of another kid passing away in a mouldy “emergency situation” motel space? Would not it deserve it to be able to house most, if not all, of the chronically homeless? And would not it deserve it to decrease or get rid of the waiting list for social real estate?

A brand-new, 15-minute neighborhood, with access to dependable transit, necessary services like a supermarket, schools, and healthy locations to stroll, cycle and play right near the river would be a beacon to other cities. A group like Multi-Faith Housing would be perfect to spearhead it. Ottawa deserves this.

We can’t manage to turn our backs on our susceptible populations any longer.

Sharon W. Moren, Kanata

Cost effective real estate not likely to emerge

Re: LeBreton tune and dance is getting old, March 29.

If we construct an arena on LeBreton Flats at the cost of those who require real estate so frantically, we will yet once again let a chance to ameliorate the real estate crisis slip through our local fingers.

The guarantee of inexpensive real estate to accompany the arena is not likely to emerge, in spite of guarantees to develop them. What constantly looks grand on paper and in the designs in some way changes into fancy condominiums and unaffordable dining establishments.

Why not construct a task that will assist the countless individuals who in fact make our city keep up their small companies and desire to handle the tasks numerous others will not?

If we are going to invite beginners, we require to do it correctly. Real estate them in motel spaces forever is not the service.

Please put the arena rubbish conversations away, and put your efforts towards something better, which will go a long method to sustaining our city and assisting those who require it quite.

Pamela Cowan, Ottawa

Health program for infants is essential

Re: Health program for children is dealing with a financing crisis, March 30.

Another example of Ontario’s stopping working health system is now striking our youngest people at their most susceptible.

Everybody understands avoidance is the very best tool we have in recognizing and dealing with possible health problems and a healthy infant, healthy kids program is important to this end. Why can’t part of the just recently assigned $300 million in the 2023 Ontario federal government spending plan “to support agreement rate increases to support the house and neighborhood care labor force” be partly designated to these programs?

Let’s put the cash now where it’s required. Our kids can’t await administration and bureaucracy to gradually grind these budget plan guarantees into truth at some point in the future.

Suzanne Legault-Desmier, Orléans

Is a cone of silence in location?

Re: Council eyes $13-million tax break for airport hotel, March 28

I object in the greatest terms to offering tax relief to a personal hotel endeavor connected with the Ottawa International Airport, and a lot more so offered the requirement for funds to use up on the much greater concern of budget-friendly real estate.

Worse, it appears obvious that council still has actually restricted understanding of the real estate tax problem ramifications of Bill 23, whether there will be a $39-million transit hole to fill due to a provincial transfer shortage, that the LRT program has actually included nasty monetary surprises every year because the very first shovel entered the ground, or that the previous council came off smelling to high paradise as an outcome of giving multi-million dollar tax relief presents to a Porsche dealer and to Hyatt for a hotel on Moodie Drive.

I think council has actually completely stopped working openness and responsibility tests by not guaranteeing that residents are completely notified about this most current gambit, which recommends that a cone of silence remains in location to restrict interactions about this proposed free gift of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

It is terrible that residents are required to spen