Following the city council meeting Oct. 6 on the issues surrounding the Red Sangster Baseball Field and the University College of the North, I feel I must write this letter to the editor as follows:
To me, this has become a moral issue and leaves me questioning city council and the Government of Manitoba. How can you in all sincerity even consider using the land that rightfully belongs to the Red Sangster Baseball Field? Developed not only by Red Sangster, but by many volunteers, businesses and City of Thompson employees over the past 50 years.
Where is your sense of pride in what has been developed over the last 50 years? Where is your devotion to the longstanding volunteers who have more than contributed to the City of Thompson? Why is Red Sangster having to fight at this stage of his life for what he has already achieved over the last 50 years? Why is City Council not standing behind him 100 per cent?
Yes, city council, I agree, you can't please everyone. Yes, city council, I agree, we need a new campus and dorms and we as a community must diversify. But at what expense ... by breaking the pride, spirit and the dignity of one who worked so hard (along with many other volunteers) for the last 50 years not only to build his dream but to make Thompson a better place to live?
Baseball in Thompson has helped put this city on the map, has brought many baseball players to move here to make Thompson their home, has brought money into this community by hosting provincials, has given children, teenagers, and seniors a place to enjoy the sport and instill a sense of pride in this community.
Surely, there are better solutions and more options for the city and provincial government to consider. I don't believe that the Red Sangster Baseball Field (Recreation Centre) is the only place in all of Thompson that this housing for the new UNC campus has to be built upon.
At the meeting, Coun. Charlene Lafreniere stated that the area in question is the best place for the housing. With all due respect, I beg to differ. The best place for the housing should not be at the expense of what has already been developed over the last 50 years. This is morally wrong. The Red Sangster Baseball field already earned this right. This is a recreation rea. Baseball is recreation and rightfully should stay where it belongs.
City council, I urge all of you to reconsider and do the right thing. Stand behind Red Sangster and give him back the recognition he deserves. Stand up and take pride in our developed area of baseball, fastball and slow-pitch at the Recreation Centre.
Don't let Winnipeg and the Government of Manitoba decide what is right for our community. Stand behind our volunteers, ball players, their families, fans and community involvement. Give us back our sense of community pride in what has been built over the past 50 years to make this community a better place to live. Be proud of our landmarks and history of community involvement and development by not taking these away. It is not a matter of moving the Red Sangster Baseball Field to another place. It is a matter of keeping it where it is and rightfully belongs.
Brenda Redman
Thompson
