In regards to the article about Quest University ending the Varsity Athletics program in March, it deeply concerns me the path Quest has choose into the future.
Whether this is the tide of economics, or the underlying mandate of the Quest board who also represent the developers.
It is often forgotten at what great lengths the community went to for Quest to exist.
Many concessions where made for land use changes, infrastructure, roads, services, and taxation breaks.
It was built on the premise it would attract world-class intellects, academics, professors, and students.
Overall, this was achieved, many among our community of this calibre are because of Quest.
Some of the agreements to facilitate the birth of Quest, were added community amenities, facilities, programs, and scholarships for local students.
The programs such as Varsity Athletics in conjunction with scholarships, were designed to provide local and international students an opportunity.
The descent started when civil action was issued on a number of fronts internally, externally, and even against the community itself. The land around Quest was established to help develop and fund its future growth, such as UBC has done.
But it seems economic gain has overshadowed the true purpose of the university. Even the well-educated students foresaw this, and recently opposed the current state of Quest.
Conflicts of interest are often debated to determine the line that needs to be drawn. Obviously, there is no line at Quest other than the bottom line of those who will financially gain.
This may be the conversion — or should I say subversion — of Quest University and its future.
Rob Weys
Squamish
