UBC Reports | Vol. 49 | No. 5 | May 8, 2003

Letters

Editor:

Why do I see the same names commenting all the time and lambasting the University in its attempt to bring the University into the 21st Century? Has anyone stopped to consider why there is a need for a University Plan? Perhaps these nay-sayers might reconsider their lack of foresight. Canada continues to lose some of its finest athletes and academics. We educate them and then send them off to other places because they cannot afford to live on or near campus. How can they train in inadequate facilities. Facilities, what facilities? Were these critics aware that the indoor pool has more than 15,000 people using it per week? How can top athletes train in a facility with no space and one that is not regulation size? Both the indoor and outdoor pool are not capable of hosting national or international level meets. There is no pool in the lower mainland that can host a high caliber swim meet, water polo tournament or synchro swimming event. B.C. prides itself on its fitness. Well, let’s provide the community surrounding UBC the opportunity to participate in activities. Here's an argument for the fogies who want to keep the pool as a heritage site. First of all what’s there now is not as it was intended. It was supposed to have been made into an indoor pool as soon as the Empire Games were over. There were change rooms and there were stores there too, coffee shops. During the Empire Games held here in the early 50’s did anyone know that Bannister and Landy were the first to break the four minute mile in running? It takes a track to train, track, what track? There is no track now in Vancouver for athletes. The list goes on, baseball, rowing, etc.

It appears these same selfish individuals do not consider that housing right in the centre of campus might be attractive to investors and families alike. I have children who will shortly be attending the University. I would gladly buy them a condo, because I believe in four to six years I will have had an excellent return on my investment in more ways than one. Having a vibrant and alive centre of campus will encourage people to remain on campus even after graduation. Three new proposed elementary schools will make the university a great place for families to be and perhaps keep graduating PhD’s from leaving for what is now much greener pastures. Please everyone who reads this respond to the positive for the University Plan so we can move forward instead of burying our heads in the sand.

Lee-Ann Strelzow