In reply, a S Gardner, Welcome Bay. ‘Come on Tauranga - Grow up already !' (The Weekend Sun, October 17).

A rousing call, to be sure, but I must take issue with two comments in the letter.

Firstly, the assumption only new residents would have anything useful to contribute; and secondly, I cannot agree a museum, cathedral or imposing new buildings in the CBD would make a vibrant city.

Actually, the very attributes you seemed to want to override or replace are the very things that make Tauranga and its surrounding suburbs the excellent living environment it is. Activities abound - The Weekend Sun lists hundreds of opportunities - and our excellent natural assets in harbour, beaches and climate make Tauranga City and the Bay of Plenty a most sought-after location.

While there are likely good arguments relating to the provision and upgrading of central city services, public places and general appearance they are not, to my mind, a call for criticism.

Council, along with willing business stakeholders, will continue to do the best it can with the CBD. But the real pleasure that will come from living in the Bay will not be the bricks and mortar of the old European-style city centre of the past, but from the attitudes and lifestyle of residents and visitors who find this bit of paradise just great, as it is!

R Fowke, Papamoa.