Council should realize importance of swim center
To the editor:
The article that was written in The Breeze Saturday, April 3, concerning the Concourse At Cape Coral, should make our city leaders realize what an important project this has become. The jobs it will provide for our citizens would be a big help to those that are unemployed and looking for work.
With this project wanting to hold its first event in December 2012 preparations will have to begin as soon as a deal is made to go forward, putting our citizens back to work. I feel this is just the first incentive the swim facility will provide to our city.
If that doesn’t give enough reason, then let’s start listing a few more, starting with the project plans for five competitive-standard Olympic pools, stadium seating up to 10,000 residents or visitors, a 20-court competitive tennis facility and don’t forget the retail stores and business amenities, including a hotel, that is part of the three phases of this concourse.
Reading the response from Mr. Sarwal, informing the citizens in Cape Coral, that “there’s no danger of default or foreclosure… and there never was” should make all of us realize how this project is being held hostage for some political agenda. Why? Yes, the economy has slowed down everywhere, and Mr. Sarwal deserves the benefit of the doubt, especially since his Texas project is continuing in a forward progression.
How come the mayor and council won’t try to the the chance to make our city the destination she deserves to become, instead of finding issues critical of the swim facility? Shouldn’t everyone, council included, be embracing the project that will have a positive affect to Cape Coral?
This project carries an estimate annual economical impact of $21,459,496 just for a dozen major events during the year, the first to be held in December 2012. The indirect economic impact will climb to $35,837,356, then add the bed tax revenue of $358,783, and the sales funds included at $1,287,568, giving this project more incentive than just a critical view from a few who don’t want to take a chance to make Cape Coral a better place to live. Staying as a “bedroom city Community” can’t serve all the residents living in the Cape. The median age is 43 years old, with young families moving into our city and hoping to share a piece of sunshine with the rest of us, citizens who pay city taxes and county taxes and have hopes for the Concourse at Cape Coral to become a reality. Our city leaders have to consider all the citizens and our wishes to have more not less.
Thank you.
Linda Jo Prince
Cape Coral resident for 21 years
and supporter of the Concourse
at Cape Coral.