LETTER – There was nothing anyone could do to change City Gardens project

Re: City Gardens project (Editorial – Heritage groups have failed us on downtown high-rises)

I agree with everything you said but take exception to dissing the Kamloops Heritage Society for not speaking out and “saving” these houses.

Meetings and discussions were held but there is virtually nothing that anyone could have done and that stands true also for Heritage BC.

The planning of this project was done quietly and with no public fanfare until all the city permits were firmly in place.

The City of Kamloops is gung-ho on densification and won’t stop until every available bare space has a high-rise on it including our parks because our City hates anything “Green”.

In case you had not heard, The Kamloops Heritage Society is pulling out of St Andrews On the Square and handing the keys over to the City at the end of December.

I need to stop typing now and go have another cry.

BERNICE MITCHELL

Editor’s Note: Bernice Mitchell has been a dedicated member of the Kamloops Heritage Society executive and has been candid in her views in support of heritage. I did not expect or hope that all the houses would be saved. I hoped the Kelson Group would see its way clear to restore at least the two grand old homes that are on the City’s heritage list and incorporate them into the development as office space or community and meeting space. That could only have happened if groups such as the heritage society had spoken up publicly and loudly as a group.