Maurice Kelly, whose Cosmopolitan Club sold the $6 million lemon to TCC, is now bleating unbelievably about pedestrian danger, yet the new Clubrooms are built on land that should have been used for overflow parking. At present anyone can use the vacant 5,000m2 grounds to park vehicles on and what on earth makes Mr Kelly think pedestrians don't have to cross the street to get to Blake Park if the multi-million ex- Clubrooms are ever demolished and they should not be.
While not a Museum supporter I could, along with many Tauranga people support the modest Museum concept. Interestingly, I recently saw what looks like a serious proposal to locate a Tauranga City Museum at the now ‘unoccupied' ex-Mount Cosmopolitan Club building at Blake Park. From reading and checking out some of the information for myself, I came to the conclusion it looked like a good plan. Only some of the current 100 odd parking spaces would be required for a Museum.
Why wouldn't the Tauranga Museum Trust want to go down this path? The premises are ideal, almost to the point of being purpose-built and could be leased long-term. Costs other than refurbishment (if any) would be virtually nil and if genuine, dedicated Museum people are involved then the Community Funding and volunteers could handle that cost. One huge plus is the TCC saving of $1 million p.a. in artefact storage fees.
Looks like all Councillors have received this information so why has there been no public feedback? I think that the Tauranga public should hear from the Tauranga Museum Trust with its views on what seems to be something sensible for a change.

R Paterson, Matapihi.