Dear editor,

Was Simms Park among the 20 sites considered for the new BC Housing Project?

If not, why not? Simms Park, across from Lewis Park, is 9.7 acres of land surrounded on three sides by water and zero homeowners/taxpayers/voters, daycare centres, veterinarians, or other businesses.

The park is vastly underused by Courtenay citizens except on Canada Day eve, nine evening concerts in the summer, and a few rallies and events that could all be relocated to the equally underused outdoor stage in Lewis Park.

There is plenty of room to build supportive housing and a permanent purpose-built shelter for all the homeless in Courtenay, not only the first lucky 40 to get a bed. For those who prefer not to live in a shelter, there is plenty of space either in the wooded area or the grassy parts of the park to pitch a tent.

There are washrooms already on site, and they could easily be improved with added showers and laundry facilities for the campers.

If one of the rules of supportive housing is that no guests, family, or friends are allowed to visit inside, there is ample park area with picnic tables to meet and socialize. There is also a massive, sheltered area to meet and mingle.

This also avoids the treacherous two-kilometre walk crossing eight lanes of heavy traffic to get from 925 Braidwood to the 鈥渉ealthcare, wellness services and skills training to help rebuild the lives of the vulnerable people鈥� in west Courtenay.

Equally important, Simms Park already has engineered access to the frontage road to the park allowing for safe, easy, and quick access for ambulances and other emergency vehicles, as well as the Care-a-Van, and plenty of parking for the onsite staff.

Finally, the already purchased, yet-to-be-rezoned 925 Braidwood property could stay zoned for the very desperately needed affordable seniors鈥� housing and a new park for the almost 1,000 newcomers to the neighbourhood with the completion of the apartment blocks across Ryan Road.

I wonder if any of these ideas were considered in the decisions proposed.

Noreen McCaffrey, Courtenay