LETTER – The dichotomy of climate change and the outdoor skating rink
(Image: City of Kamloops)
It’s confusing to try and comprehend the dichotomy of actions being discussed by those who are in authority over municipal activities.
The latest news is that citizens are to be prepared for further watering restrictions in the months ahead. We all can agree that drought conditions have persisted for several years. There is only so much water, not only for supporting plant life but also for use by Kamloops Fire & Rescue. Most would acknowledge global warming is the culprit.
Carrying through with that logic, global warming seems to not have been in the equation when the folks who do the voting at City Hall approved an outdoor skating rink for Riverside Park. The average daily temperature during the winter months has risen to the point where natural ice could not form on any surface meant to be an outdoor skating rink. Yet, an outdoor skating rink will be built in Riverside Park. Underground cooling pipes and a plant for cooling refrigerant to freeze the water on the new skating rink and keep it frozen are required.
It will be a glutton for electricity.
But, on the bright side, it will supply employment for security personnel.
Comprehending the dichotomy of actions could lead to high blood pressure and tension headaches. It’s best to try and forget about some of these things. Maybe the average citizen simply is incapable of understanding the complexities involved behind the scene.
JOHN NOAKES,
Citizen of Westmount
ArmchairMayor.ca 
This isn’t really a council project but rather an administration project. It was twice rejected for funding from Victoria as it was seen as frivolous, then once cities were gifted covid $ to spend with limited oversight Kamloops admin jumped at the opportunity to shove this down councils throat and they did as only 2 (Hammer-Jackson & Sarai) had the common sense to see this project as the vast majority of citizens see it, that being a wastes of money.
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This is crazy. Council is completely out of touch and out of control. They are depressing housing starts and reducing building capacity for new projects because a neighbour complains. But they ignore widespread opposition to wasteful projects, and have failed to tackle the main issues raised by voters – crime, out of control street disorder and cost of living.
I read today that Valleyview/Dallas is forming a new business association. The reason is that they feel they are being ignored by council on street disorder issues impacting the businesses here.
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Great LTTE and great comments from the engaged people. That Bepple considers herself an environmentalist for cycling occasionally a few kilometres on flat ground or casually paying lip services to the occasional environmental flavour of the day cause is preposterous. She was hardworking on the campaign to have this latest folly added to list.
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Building a part-time ice surface in one of the warmest and hardest to police areas of the city seems foolish, especially since it will be inaccessible for parking on Blazer game nights as well.
When considering climate change, it should be noted that in addition to the rink’s requirement for huge energy inputs to maintain the ice, major lighting will also be necessary, since the rink is to be used in the winter when daylight is limited.
Further, in flood years the elevated water table could damage the underground rink infrastructure.
Building an unsustainable and unnecessary ice surface is a slap in the face to residents facing an 11% tax increase.
It’s the wrong project in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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So, I was just talking to a friend from Kelowna. It seems they shut their outdoor rink down because the weather was to warm and the “ice gods” couldn’t keep up.
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The mere mortals down here in the valley can’t begin to understand the wisdom of Council. It’s not our place. Just accept.
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