Playing the name game

bruce farrell

- November 1, 2012 at 16:11:38

Quantitatively the huge majority of opinions/comments expressed re this situation are negative. It is a pollyana-drish take that expresses this as"some positive" when the few very voices that are remotely positive are mostly members of the Chamber of Commerce. People are ticked off.People are venting. When was the last time 73 posts on any subject were made here? This looks like a class war.There is a lot of resentment. If this is the kind of transparency and communication that is to be delivered for the duration of this Centre,then Tom may have as well said "let them eat cake".If he didn't want to take ownership for this decision ,a press conference of those responsible should have been set up. Community,community---community,stressed over and over ,but now that the doors will soon open it becomes more and more apparent,it was built for the select, Silly me,I expected to be able to purchase single use tickets for the walking track for $25 for 10,that I expected would be reasonable for the average person who has to be careful what I throw in the grocery cart.Anything higher,I won't go. Those less fortunate than me,will not be able to go. Yuh know what else,there should be some free time at off peak hours,with a codicil that any-one who thinks they need to be there at that time and can afford it ,donate the equivilant to the food bank.

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Scooter

- November 1, 2012 at 08:43:26

With respect, I don't think it is fair to compare the Rogers Centre and Wrigley's field to this. The Rogers Centre is owned by Rogers and Wrigley's field was named for William Wrigley who owned the Cubs and the gum company. Based on your comparison, would we be correct to conclude that this facility is owned by Eastlink and Mr. Rath? It certainly sounds that way. The problem, however, is that this is supposed to be a COMMUNITY CENTRE. It is, or should be, owned by the community because they paid the majority. Even if Rath and Bragg each put in $10,000,000, which is unlikely, we, the taxpayers would still have paid more than them. I'm not saying they shouldn't be recognized for their contribution but we could name the rink after them or some other part of the building but not the whole thing. This sets a dangerous precedent where any corporation can waltz in here and donate a few million and have naming rights. More importantly, the secrecy behind the naming is only going to make people want nothing to do with the facility. The community should have been directly involved in every aspect of the facility, including the naming. To have an invite-only naming ceremony is elitist and will only make people have even less support for the facility. And for those who would accuse me of being negative, I would say that we not only have a right to question how our money is spent and what happens to our public buildings but that we indeed have a duty to do so.

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  Another Loving Mother

  - November 19, 2012 at 06:24:11

  And the good old boys strike again. You should have limited Rath and Bragg to the arena and pool and left the name for our children......greedy. I hold these two responsible because they are letting this happen. For Stanfield to chirp in and defend them is sad and expected. Boys...... I know your reading these posts so please show some respect for our children and give them back their Colchester Civic Center. I can't wait to see if you do the right thing.

George

- October 31, 2012 at 23:30:37

my sister would have donated more if she knew her name would be up there. maybe even paid to build the place just to see it, over 5 years that is chump change. ron might have too, just because. the organizers are big dummies if this was the best they could do for the taxpayers of Truro, Colchester County, the Province of Nova Scotia, and Canada.

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  Homer Simpson

  - November 1, 2012 at 18:09:06

  Seriously people thats all we do in Truro is complain!! It only a freakin name! Is it really going to make you that upset...are you going to vomit? Will that be your excuse for not using the athletic center? Myself I am more concerned about mine and everyone's well being and the benefits of going to this center to exercise. I get on with my life to meet my objectives in staying fit and not dwell upon these simple items. Why not get out of your seats, stop complaining and participate?