Westmount’s latest spin on the Arena/Pool Project, now called “The Westmount Recreation Centre”, was presented in an “information session” at Victoria Hall on the evening of June 21st, 2011. A crowd of approximately 200 gathered to ask their questions, and voice their opinions on the project. The session was by invitation, and the invitees were from an area within 1000m 1000ft of the proposed site.
It’s hard to even begin to enumerate the long list of awkward moments and misrepresentations offered by the City at this event. But let’s start with the fact that some residents living closest to the project — Ste-Catherine St W next to the train station, for example — were not invited. Some showed up anyway and were eager to speak openly about their anger over the project. These poor residents have had to listen to the MUHC construction from the comfort of their livingrooms for the past year. It’s clear that they are in no mood to listen to more noise coming from Lansdowne St..
To their credit, City councillors were honest about the power game that had just been played out: We listened to the 
Westmount Athletic Grounds (WAG) folks; the project was rejected there and so we obeyed their wishes. It’s just tough luck for you folks near Westmount Park. We’re having the project here in Westmount Park. Seldom in politics do you get such a candid explanation of the kinds of back-room influences that shape municipal decisions. We’re so lucky in Westmount to have this kind of honesty from our politicians.
The Mayor, in a flurry of extremely carefully worded mathematical gymnastics, went on to to make the puzzling claim that the April 2010 mail-in survey “represented” over 5000 consenting adults. How a little over 2000 mail-ins could represent over 5000 residents was left as an exercise for the audience to figure out.
Next, in yet another spectacular display of cluelessness, the Genivar project manager “reassured” the citizens that the hockey rink would remain open next winter as the rest of the facility was being demolished. We suspect that the project manager had mistakenly pulled out the wrong presentation– the one aimed at the hockey crowd – rather than the one intended for local residents. We’re pretty sure that not many in the crowd cared about the continuity of the hockey season.
When asked about his post-election about-face, Councillor Ikeman continued to provide his “conditional support” for the project, stating that he was right in 2009 for being against it, and right in 2011 for being “conditionally” in favour of it. Did you all catch the “conditionally” part? Please hurry up and switch sides again, Mr. Ikeman. Your careful choice of words seems to betray your real opinions about the project. Just be the hero you think you are.
Finally, it was hard to ignore the anger that was present in the room. Residents, left with the feeling that this City does not care one bit about their concerns, manifested their discontent several times by openly booing the councillors. Many probing questions by residents were cheered loudly. And the City continued to demonstrate how oblivious it is to democratic process.
Another notable oversight in the meeting was what to do with the naming rights of Centre. Rumours are currently circulating that the facility might aptly be named “The Selwyn House Hockey Complex”.
I was there, I couldn’t beleive it. A shabby sup-par presentation by the experts, citizens being abruptly cut off and silenced when the question obviously wasn’t to council’s liking.With now both local papers in the city’s back pocket (one has to read Wayne Larsen’s description of the evening, I think he mistakenly attended another meeting)where do citizens have a voice? what happened to democracy?? how can the city spend so much money on a project they could have for a fraction of the price tag??? (c.f. The Lulham Report).
I think the facility should be named SHHC, but why don’t they build it with their money, under the patch of grass in front of city hall? A park is a park, a place for a swimming pool,the sound of splasing children, not for an all-year hockey complex attracting big SUVs with hockey bags.If I lived on Landsowne, I would run!! I think many, many citizens (and some councillors, Ikeman?) will regret not having voiced their opposition when they see what will become of their park.
In reaction to the previous comment…”shabby sub-par presentation” — that was exactly what the presentation was. Damages the reputation, I believe, of Genivar and there are reasons to think they are already troubled by their involvement in this project. After 14 months, Mayor Trent said the planners are still quarreling about the superstructure, and councillor Martin clearly indicated that the project is still over the $37 million budget. Unless these officials are lying, this incapacity now is a kind of cry from the dungeon — WE CANNOT GET OUT OF THESE TWO HOLES WE ARE DIGGING! Time to wake up…and emerge from these “mind-forged manacles.”
The meeting was an insult to the intelligence of the citizens of Westmount and a sad comment as well on municipal governance.
…..an ode to Kafka.
A Westmount resident for four decades, I have noticed a steady slide in the quality of the environment in Westmount Park.
The first major setback was the 7 and a half million dollar ‘renovation’ of the Westmount Public Library by the then Mayor Peter Trent.
The insides of a priceless historical building was ripped, handcarved woodwork and oak furniture thrown away, the parquet ceiling painted white, smoked glass replaced clear (to block out the light) and metal girders and cement staircases installed.
And Peter Trent again the Mayor for a second time is planning to wreck external havoc to the Park itself.
A green park is the ‘lungs’ of a city. When the Arena Project is forced upon them and when the Super Hospital is ready, the ever increasing traffic and parking spaces required will invade Westmount Park. And residents thinking of taking a stroll in Westmount Park had better put on face masks.