Discussions

kerry auriat said "I absolutely think there are some very constructive comments on here. Trust me when I tell you the people at the RDC understand they are in a floodplain.   The designs are built to take into account several elements, including using materials that can handle future flooding, and good use of the topography.   Ultimately, I like the plan. I understand and appreciate the other comments I'm hearing on ebrandon. I will do my best not to let you down. "

that can handle future flooding', let's hope that no 2011 type flood happens any time soon. How many months of spring/summer would that eat up? Hopefully an entire season wouldn't be lost.

kerry auriat said "I absolutely think there are some very constructive comments on here. Trust me when I tell you the people at the RDC understand they are in a floodplain.   The designs are built to take into account several elements, including using materials that can handle future flooding, and good use of the topography.   Ultimately, I like the plan. I understand and appreciate the other comments I'm hearing on ebrandon. I will do my best not to let you down. "

Not to sound rude, but... How can we trust you when you've been convinced by the people who have in their best of interests to have the city pay for their terrible ideas? Haven't you ever been down there when it's busy? ...It sucks! The Discovery Center is a horrible venue for large crowds. ...Always has been ...Always will be. That's the point! No topography, no special engineering or better materials will ever change the fact that it's a terrible site. It's still having one entrance/exit and sweet-bugger-all for parking. Any services needed/required has to be either built or brought in for events to function. People will still bake in the sun because of the lack shade and then get eaten alive by the bugs when it gets dark. Then for those who decide to take the bus.. those poor saps have to play the real life game of "Frogger" with the traffic on Eighteenth Street to catch a Southbound bus. Mr. Auriat, please don't continue to be mesmerized with a fancy presentation with artistic representations and designer renderings of "this is what it could look like". ....ooooohh sooo fancy! They never end up looking anything like those first drawings. Budget and engineering factors always changes the appearance of the final outcome. It's just a classic use of distracting props for the delivery of "silver-tongue salesmanship". They'll show, say and promise anything to get the funding. Flooding? ...don't worry, this map will tell you it's fine for now. Budget? ..."no problem, we'll make it work". ..."Other places have done something like this a few years ago. I'm pretty sure it'll be close to what they've paid". **wink wink, nudge nudge** WAKE UP! Get another option on the table. I'll bet you that if you were to get the Keystone Board members to get an estimate made for a covered stage built on their grounds... The numbers will be less. Simply based on the fact all they're needing is a basic structure being constructed. No crazy engineering, no piles needed driven sixty feet into muck, no special flood protection, no services (hydro, water, sewer, paths & vehicle approaches) need brought over/under/through the dike, no parking lot needed built, permanent restrooms & food vendors already provided on site and finally no threat of postponement/delay costs in construction due to water levels. Maybe you should give the Keystone a call and see if they''re interested in getting some additional funding to better their facility?  
 
I don't know what's more disappointing... The fact that this project is going though virtually unopposed. Or the fact that the Keystone didn't even try to apply themselves as the better candidate. It just blows my mind, that the Keystone is always snuffling around for funding like a "pig looking for truffles" and they never said anything during these past two years about diverting money from this lost cause at the river. Why the hell not? Those clowns missed a perfect opportunity to convince the people of Brandon to invest in them instead. The ball gets dropped, and instead of someone else picking it up... It just gets kicked around and lost out-of-bounds. Typical Brandon politics. *sarcasm*  
 
So, how does the "silent majority" get heard? ...Well the only thing I can think of is a petition being created to oppose the decision and formally request the city council to re-evaluate and bring forth other options or at least other locations for the covered stage. I would do it myself, but no one likes me. LOL Is someone up for the challenge? Mr. Auriat perhaps?...  
 
Sorry if I've offended anyone.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.  
 
Edited by snowman5, 2017-05-04 23:49:19

Keystone is much better place for this type of community investment. Funny thing is that this was the council that was going to curb spending and get back to basics. Well they manage to outspend the previous council every year and maybe if they want to get back to basics they can start with better snow removal next year. The street were awful this winter.  
 
Edited by blewbyyou, 2017-05-05 01:21:23

To relocate to the Keystone? I would sign that in a second. Has anyone who is involved in this ridiculous idea been to the RDC during the last flood? Did they notice the walking paths were under water? How can we get a petition started, Adam, could you perhaps do a survey?

that I really think Brandon should be looking at other projects to keep people here and encourage new people to move here. We are the second largest city in the province and if you take a look around, we have nothing here to attract people to Brandon. We no longer have a "City funded Curran Park type development", We no longer have water slides, I hear we are losing Playtime which saddens me greatly because it was an inexpensive place for kids to go in bad weather and enjoy themselves while getting exercise, no Wheelies roller rink. Our city has no place for young people to go that doesn''t cost a huge sum of money such as the YMCA or the Theater. Instead of sinking $30 million tax payer dollars into something like Riverbank, maybe they should look at our children and youth and invest more in them. I understand the importance of Riverbank so don''t jump on me as I am not saying it shouldn''t happen but maybe we should look at some other things first.  
Idle hands will find SOMETHING to do!  
 
Edited by Popcorn Twist, 2017-05-05 09:54:25

Popcorn Twist said "that I really think Brandon should be looking at other projects to keep people here and encourage new people to move here. We are the second largest city in the province and if you take a look around, we have nothing here to attract people to Brandon. We no longer have a "City funded Curran Park type development", We no longer have water slides, I hear we are losing Playtime which saddens me greatly because it was an inexpensive place for kids to go in bad weather and enjoy themselves while getting exercise, no Wheelies roller rink. Our city has no place for young people to go that doesn''t cost a huge sum of money such as the YMCA or the Theater. Instead of sinking $30 million tax payer dollars into something like Riverbank, maybe they should look at our children and youth and invest more in them. I understand the importance of Riverbank so don''t jump on me as I am not saying it shouldn''t happen but maybe we should look at some other things first.   Idle hands will find SOMETHING to do!     Edited by Popcorn Twist, 2017-05-05 09:54:25"

Off topic but the city offers a free facility for youth with programming at A.R. McDermid Building at 638 princess ave. See http://brandonyouth.ca/youth-centre/about-us for more programming information.

Has anyone actually looked at the plans or just hear Discovery Centre and flooding. If everything is built up right there should be just grass flooding. And if you currently look at the site the grass is coming in nice and green. I would rather take a blanket and have a picnic with the family at the Discovery Centre rather than lay in gravel grass at the Keystone. The Centre is quieter, has more green space. The Keystone is one giant commercial lot. When the Discovery Centre is flooded I never hear "Oh I wish I had somewhere to walk that isn't flooded."

I agree with a lot of the comments on here. As soon as the idea was proposed I was disappointed that the city council was closed minded to spend that kind of money on something that will flood every year and that completely takes away from what the site was originally for. It was a natural spot for going for walks and seeing nature including animals. I saw this proposed idea as a terrible idea, while I understand what the Riverbank is trying to do to keep themselves alive and operating to have the opportunity to host events and make money to develop events but I think there is a better way of doing it for what the area was originally suppose to be.  
 
I am also disappointed that Council is willing to spend that kind of money on something that will constantly need more money because of the flooding but is unwilling to support and fund buildings that we already have that are needing upgrades. The keystone legitimately brings people to the city with the different events that it hosts. It already does everything that the Riverbank wants to do. Now the council is developing something that is in direct competition of the Keystone both in events it can host and 5 or 10 years down the road the money that it needs to keep the venue up to codes and upkeep costs. There is so much more potential at the Keystone Centre. If they got funding from the city then Fishing Guy you probably wouldn't be sitting on gravel grass at the Keystone you would be sitting on grass under the shade of a tree instead of your grass at the Riverbank but frying your face off because you have no shade.  
 
While I understand what the Riverbank was trying to do I think the money can be spent better and more effectively. Before you start creating more and more things maybe we should look at supporting the stuff that is already here and that does bring in lots of money to the community.

it seem a shame, that a community center is being shut down, which was being used regularly by various groups, and this huge lump sum of cash is promised, "loaned", to a riverbank? Any parking for disabled, or use by persons with disabilities considered in this massive spending spree? Parking is at a premium, read non-existent, at the best of times, during the single, annual July 1st event, gala, celebration.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/building-on-flood-plains-goodale-1.4107474  
 
Its not just here.  
 
For those interested stream of the may 1st council meeting where they discussed the Riverbank Festival Project https://www.facebook.com/CityofBrandon/  
 
the meeting is 2 hrs so well past my attention span. If anyone knows the timestamp where they talk about the plan can you post it. Thanks  
 
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Has lots of information its better than their website for posting/updating in a timely manner  
 
Edited by WilliamBell, 2017-05-10 10:40:40

I agree with Fishin Guy that the Riverbank Discovery Centre is a great spot for picnics - but wholesale development as an event venue etc is a whole different kettle of fish.  
 
Let''s enjoy it as a great place to enjoy nature and fund the Keystone Centre for the rest.  
 
Edited by Tiger Lily, 2017-05-10 10:36:39