Keep Pavilion open

Cover the pavilion, really? Were you here in 1996 during the ice storm? Thousands of residents were without electricity for well over a week. In 2015, the wind blew hundreds of trees on cemeteries, streets, houses and power lines, and, again, days without electricity.

Last year the snow was mild compared to past years when snow levels were at least a third more and business roofs caved in. Thawing and freezing of our streets last year is not new. After Expo ‘74, my job took me by the pavilion twice a day. The wind flapping the remains of the roof covering went on for months, or was it years? Our weather is not conducive to covering the pavilion — or maintenance costs. The pavilion cable is very round and very steep. This is why high grain silos are concrete and tall smoke stacks are brick. Many of us like the artistic nature and skyline of the open pavilion.

By the way, don’t allow our city parks and recreation department to be turned over to politicians who are often backed by some developers who would like to turn parks and golf courses into streets and houses.

Jerry Hopkins

Spokane