Dear editor:

I was both moved and puzzled after reading the article by Susan St Amand (“A shared opportunity for 176 Wellington,” April 23, The Lake Report).

I was moved by reading about the many exciting community-based projects that the James A. Burton & Family Foundation has invested in. These initiatives have ranged from the spectacular Arts Umbrella in Vancouver to the innovative cSpace in Calgary.

In this region, the foundation has supported the Niagara Region for Indigenous Relations, Yellow Door Theatre Project, Niagara Jazz Festival, the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre and many others.

Clearly, this is a philanthropic foundation that seeks to build community and to respond to expressed community needs.

This brings me to my source of puzzlement.

In most communities around the world, a philanthropic organization with funds to make investments, based on research, would be welcomed with open arms by the community leaders.

At the very least, the leaders would encourage their interest and engage in an exploratory conversation about shared vision and goals. But not, it seems, in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The foundation is offering to support the building and running of a wonderful centre at 176 Wellington for community arts, youth programs, music and education. Research indicates that there is strong community support.

It seems that the best this town can offer is that we may invite the foundation to respond to a request for proposal at some unspecified point in the future.

But first, we are going to spend $200,000 to look into converting the iconic 176 Wellington St. site into, drumroll please … a parking lot.

It is all rather puzzling.

Robin Cardozo
NOTL