Re: “Ignoring the public’s wishes for the square,” letter, May 1.

The letter was absolutely accurate regarding Centennial Square and Clover Point.

I can’t help but think that the splash park idea was conceived in an effort to discourage the homeless from sleeping there (“we can run it all night!”).

The artist’s rendering looks like it was created by AI: there are no toddlers in swimsuits, just older children fully dressed “playing” in the water while adults try to walk between waist-high gushing fountains.

That’s not how splash pads work. And no parent will risk their toddler’s safety by bringing them to a square that has discarded needles and open drug use.

Save taxpayers $10 million and just upgrade the area to make it more appealing to downtown workers on their lunch break.

No one wanted Clover Point to turn into a picnic area. Even in the summer, the ocean wind is strong and cold. There’s a reason why people fly kites there, why paragliders use it as a launch point.

As the letter-writer said, “What functioned beautifully for decades is lost, despite broad-based public opposition.”

Victoria city council needs to stop repeatedly ignoring citizens’ input and stop wasting our tax dollars on ill- conceived, disastrous projects that no one wants.

P.J. Perdue

Victoria

I have felt so bewildered and frustrated by Victoria council’s pronouncements about Centennial Square.

A recent letter has given me the energy to add yet another voice to the huge volume of protests against the loss of that sequoia tree, as well as the bit of local history represented by that fountain.

Columnist Gene Miller’s idea of a ­garden that includes the sequoia and fountain with paths for all to enjoy speaks volumes to me and would benefit the downtown doldrums immeasurably.

Why didn’t the referendum ballot include a renovation option for the Crystal Pool, in addition to replacing it? That would have had my vote.

Clover Point was a favourite visiting place of mine........

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