Whatcom County Council this week defended their decision to put the new community center on the donated land in Balfour Village as opposed to the land across the street from Kendall Elementary School. The land opposite the school at Kendall Road and Mt. Baker Highway was favored by most because they felt that it was the most central location. However, the land in Balfour Village was donated.

Although the county council listened to residents, at the end of the day it came down to money. With the land being donated and water and sewer already on the property, it will save the county approximately $2 million. Economically, the land in Balfour Village just made sense.

I feel a bit bad for the people of that area since there was such high support for the elementary school location. However, the reality is that is $2 million more that can be put into the community center and it’s services.