When I first looked at that structure LFP, I simply could not understand that the cost for this blob of cement could be so high. I think it would be interesting for a construction estimator to revisit this site and give us his estimate....even at today's rates. In my opinion township taxpayers were hosed. The question is by who?
methinks | 11.10.06 - 9:56 am | #

Isn't this the same place(McLeod) that they made such a booboo on the playing field as well? If I remember correctly they spent hundreds of thousands and find out there isn't proper drainage and it has to be ripped up and redone at our expense. (please correct me if I'm wrong)

It is circumstances like these that we taxpayers are left holding the bag for. I don't mind paying when I get my moneys worth but damned if I'm paying to have the same job done over and over till its done right. The same with the grandstand, hard to believe by looking at it that it's worth more than a couple hundred thousand, let alone millions. Heck, half of the roof isn't even under cover.

There has to be some accountability to us, the taxpayers, for these mistakes and there has to be some accountablity with the construction Co's to the municipality on the cost structure.
Things will never change unless Kurt has to deep down in his jeans for the difference in costs. As long as they can relay the invoice to us and have no responsibility for it, things will never change.
willynilly | 11.12.06 - 10:12 am | #

What amazes me most is the phonomenal cover up and avoidance of the actual facts. Saying any and all projects can go over by an astounding 2 to 3 times the initial budget and that this is acceptable because of rising construction costs is just B.S. especially by the local media who also seem to choose to ignore this to a great extent. It also sickens me to see our elected politicians speak glowingly and proudly about how wisely they shuffled our money around to help pay for the out of control costs! This is pureand simple doublespeak. I implore everyone to go have a look at the Grandstand which we now can officially call the $3-4-5- and 6 million project and still counting and comment if it was worth the probably in excess of $6 million cost.
LFP Editor | Homepage | 11.14.06 - 12:59 am | #

It is indeed very interesting to note that one of the top Vancouver newpapers sees this as so outrages that they would do a special coverage of it, yet our own local papers, whom I assume are even paying for it out of their taxes, as well as us, do not see anything worth reporting?

I guess they're part of helping Kurt Albert's Township Council do the great cover-up.

I'm making a special trip down that way to get a better look at it, although I have a feeling it will get me riled up all the more.
willynilly | 11.14.06 - 1:04 am | #

Yes willy, I remember the night that Kurt Alberts' slate was exposed at one of the all candidates meetings. The Langley Times was very gracious in the way that was swept under the carpet very neatly and as it was explained away very innocently. Alberts actually had an ad in the Times issue the day after, blatantly naming off his selections. Sucky eh.
methinks | 11.16.06 - 11:18 am | #

If you want to talk about cover up, what about the School Board bailing them out of the 'naming playing field' caper.

The Township decides in-camera to name the field next to McLeod, Alberts announces it at a Labour Day soccer game, it then gets released at a regular council meeting. All this to find out that the property that they are naming is in fact school district property.

So what happens, the School Board bails them out by setting a precedent and naming the school field. There has to be a cost involved in this. How much money was again taken away from students? Why not have the guts to say no?
Why wasn't it reported in the local papers?

There is absolutely no disrespect intended to the family of the man who is being honoured. I'm sure they had no idea of what was happening and although I don't know him, he apparently devoted a lot of time to youngsters in Langley. We need more dedicated volunteers like that.
seeingclearly | 11.16.06 - 11:38 am | #

Well we the people keep electing "THEM". Sounds like the name of an old bad horror science fiction movie dosn't it!
LFP Editor | Homepage | 11.17.06 - 12:40 pm | #

Bingo! Did you ever notice how many hundreds of thousands of dollars the Township pays to the local papers for their Township pages? See this previous Councillor Richter report on these bucks spent; http://www.kimrichter.com/Blog/2...ry-24- 2006.html
LFP Editor | Homepage | 11.17.06 - 12:41 pm | #