I'm strongly opposed to re-introducing auto racing to Campbell Valley Park.
Langley Speedway was closed decades ago, and at that time its claim to the site ended. Cyclists, hikers, equestrians, birders, historians, and others took the opportunity to stake claims to the site, and have transformed it into its present condition. The network of cycling and hiking trails have continually been expanded. The birders have come to enjoy the very diverse wildlife, which would likely be driven away by excessive noise. The historians have established seven individual historic sites. The equestrians have operated a non-profit society for over twenty-five years, volunteering time and funds to build arenas, jumps, and trails for communal use. The most expensive and important investment by the equestrian society are the arenas, which hosts events every weekend. The arenas are in close proximity to the track, and would be completely unusable during races (horses would spook).
Neighbors also must be considered. A YMCA Camp, a number of private equestrian centers, and private homes have been constructed since the closing of the track. The noise from the track would fundamentally interfere with these stake holders.
Mission is not a significantly further distance to travel, comparable in most cases, and is a significantly superior facility.
It would also cost hundreds of thousands to make the speedway race ready, maybe millions.
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Originally Posted by Soundy
"'I can't see how having Langley Speedway will do anything but negatively impact every other user of this park,' says Shelagh Niblock, who rides at the equestrian park 600 metres from the track."
Oh yeah, like your horses don't stink the place up.  |
Horses don't stink up the place. A visitor may smell a horse, but they'd need to be within a couple meters of one. The equestrian and cycling/hiking trails are also separate, although hikers/cyclists can use the equestrian ones.
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How often would race events happen... few hours every other weekend? 20, maybe 30 hours a month? So people can't enjoy the park in peace the other 780 hours? FUCK YOU, CAR PEOPLE, THIS PARK IS ALL MINE AND NOBODY ELSE GETS A SAY!
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That's an unfair comparison. The important consideration is weekend hours/days, and re-opening the speedway would take up 25% of them - that's a lot. It's open to deliberation, the equestrians don't hold a veto. The majority decision will rule, and car people have been a significant minority for many, many years.