Having used, maintained and administered the Royal Roads property over the years since 1966, I am gravely concerned for the future of this national treasure that legally belongs to all citizens of Canada.
The Department of National Defence must be lauded for maintaining the property to its original function and stately elegance since assuming ownership of the property in 1940.
Let us face reality. Hatley Park looks like a park, acts like a park, sounds like a park, has National Historic Site designation and is adjacent to a national park. Why would you spend all the time and money trying to figure out what it should be when what it is now just makes sense to the local community, the users and Canadians who have visited it over the years?
Transfer it to Parks Canada and fund it with an ongoing commitment to accommodate B.C. and First Nations for as long as they wish to carry on the ‘business’ of higher education. Why is it so difficult to show leadership at all levels of government in what is a no-brainer?
Doug Foreman
Colwood