“Wait listed swimmers left high and dry” would probably not even be an issue if the City of St. Albert’s growth and development plans had focused on ensuring that infrastructure was organized properly before promoting the city as one of the best places to live.
Obviously, the growth rate was misjudged after authorizing all of the development projects. And to ask the citizens now to lobby for a new pool should not be an option.
It is evident that there is a lack of pool space. And if it is going to take until 2020 or beyond for a new pool to be built, then re-organization should be considered. Servus Place could be utilized. Maybe this would be an opportunity to increase revenue there through swimming lessons. Also, Grosvenor outdoor pool could be utilized more efficiently by offering lessons during the summer.
Perhaps the reason that almost half of the registrants from 2015 were from outside of the City of St. Albert was because the city did not organize the registrations so that the first come, first serve policy ensured that St. Albert tax payers would be served first. A simple solution: open the registrations up first to St. Albert residents so that they are given the first opportunity to receive their classes. Then open the registrations up to those who live outside of St. Albert. And, then, more lessons would be secured for St. Albert residents, and less left high and dry on the waiting list.
I have been a resident for more than 30 years. When my three children were involved in swimming lessons, the system worked efficiently. It ensured that all St. Albert children had equal opportunity to learn to swim – a rewarding experience for them, and an integral part of their growth and development, leading towards water safety and healthy living.
Now, when I register my granddaughter and grandson for swimming lessons, it is a whole new game. A lotto, where lessons are not guaranteed. Even if you show up in person (a St. Albert resident) on registration day. Even if you show up early.
You are greeted by a long, slow line-up of frustrated St. Albert residents. As they wait patiently, they are in competition with the constant ring of the phone. Plus, on-line registrations flood in (if the website is working properly). And if it is not, you don’t want to be that person who has lost the crucial opportunity to get into the race.
What happened to the St. Albert that was one of the best places to live because of all it offered its citizens? As the cliché goes, and has been proved time after time, bigger is not always better.
Sandra Ellerbeck, St. Albert
