Pavilion pros and cons

The flap about the Pavilion roof is unfortunate — seemingly bogged in the politics of past promises that were based on a good faith, optimistic but preliminary vision that was always vulnerable to many unknowns and questions that now have more clarity.

Roof feasibility? Yes, we can get a snow-tolerant roof fabric to replace the original tent top. Price tag: $4.5 million. But we don’t know if the original cable-net structure was designed to support snow loads, or what it might cost additionally to make it support snow loads.

Usage potentials? Pretty much equal with or without a roof. (A tent top gives you shelter and shade — but is not heated — and cooled interior space.)

Qualitative potentials? Here the scale tips in favor of no roof or partial covering. An open Pavilion gets sunlight; gets strong visual connection to the river and surrounding park; gets wonderful high-perch views of the falls; and gets two acres of Pavilion footprint relieved by some grass and plantings (instead of two acres of interior hardscape under a shadowed tent). A $4.5 million roof forfeits these potentials.

Finally a note about public process. There has been much debate about the Pavilion roof in public settings over many years. But nobody noticed.

Steve McNutt, former Park Board member

Spokane