Upgrade to save city hall from earthquake money well spent
Dear Duncan mayor and council:
I fully support council’s cogent plan to seek senior government grants toward a $10-million seismic upgrade on our landmark, heritage city hall building.
Details appeared in the April 21, 2022 Citizen newspaper.
Though I live in North Cowichan, Duncan’s 1913 city hall is seen by all Cowichanians as sitting at the centre of our valley.
Furthermore, it is one of the few remaining heritage and historical buildings in Duncan and indeed across Cowichan. Too much local heritage — including Duncan’s unique Chinatown — has sadly been lost already.
In short, a city hall seismic upgrade would be money well spent for safety, heritage and insurance reasons.
Some may argue an earthquake may never happen and if it does, the whole upgraded city hall building could be swallowed or crumble.
That argument is academic, though seismic experts predict a ‘big one’ will happen sometime.
I certainly do not support demolishing our beloved city hall.
Your is safety and heritage,
Peter W. Rusland
North Cowichan
