I sent this yesterday to the architectural firm of Diamond Schmitt, a once highly regarded firm now frantically trying to justify their work on the Ford government’s ill-conceived, senseless, destructive spa idea. Will they listen? Obviously, money talks. Letters from concerned citizens do not. But they’re sent anyway.
Dear Diamond Schmitt:
Surely you know that if this monstrosity goes ahead, you will be cursed for generations, until they manage to tear it down. This city is starved for green space and for a glimpse of the great lake hidden behind highway and condos. And there, instead of a space open to all — a park, a beach, a place to walk and sit and play — you are planning to cut over 800 trees to build a giant spa for the wealthy.
I use the Metro Central YMCA often and marvel at its design, at that magnificent staircase like a spine. It’s disgraceful and very sad that architects of your caliber have sold their souls to Doug Ford — Doug Ford! — and Therme.
Is that what you want your legacy to be? The city, and its future generations, pray you come back to your senses and your ethics. Move the project somewhere else. Give us back our land, our trees, and our lake.
best
Beth Kaplan
