FFWD Weekly
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| Letter by FFWD Reader Re: City's history disappearing (Rant, June 17) Given Matt Burgener's outrage over the renovation of Lindsay Park's old rail bridge, I can only assume that he would also be championing the hideous Robin Hood Flour elevator were it still around. We can thank Gulf Canada for ridding us of that monstrosity, and we can thank the city for whatever it is they are doing to the pedestrian bridge at the north entrance to Lindsay Park. I consider myself an enlightened and knowledgeable advocate of heritage preservation, but saving every deteriorating hunk of our past is not going to make up for the losses of the last 30 years. Just because it's old doesn't make it a "historic structure" worth preserving. Because it once was useful does not mean that it now has a role, structurally or culturally. The gem that Burgener would enshrine is a dime-a-dozen concrete and steel railroad bridge that was long ago converted for pedestrian use. It is unremarkable in every way. And, unlike grain elevators and inner-city hospitals, this type of structure is in no danger of disappearing. Someday the Bay Parkade, too, will be venerable, but I hope to God that nobody saves it from the explosive demise it so richly deserves. If we are to succeed in saving truly deserving buildings, such as the Lougheed Grand, from the wrecker's ball, we must not appear as whiny nitwits to the politicians whose support we need. Further, we must not divert the public's limited attention from the important battles by carping at the city's attempt to clean up an eyesore. Rob Jobst, |
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