We have just seen what happens when those who govern decide to pit the population against one another to choose direction about what citizens need.
Now the mayor is going to ask us to make those kind of choices about facilities. What needs to be asked is what options are already available to help with the solutions. First it would seem that those who support the library expansion have done a lot of lobbying and felt that they were home free, maybe even offering to fundraise!
I must admit my personal bias is the pool situation. In a city of 60,000 we only have one good swimming pool which is well used and in need of repair and upgrades. Do not tell me we have Servus Place – this is mere window/water dressing – a waste of serious swimming space. I am sorry that the swimming club only wants a few more lanes. In the future when all these new houses are built, they may find a couple of extra lanes are just a drop in the swimming pool bucket. Council has already heard from the YMCA, which is interested in partnering with us. Why can we not explore this option more fully?
Maybe what we should be considering is wants and needs. First I have never personally witnessed a lineup of people outside the library waiting to be admitted because there is no room. This happens regularly at the pool when families try to enroll their children in swimming lessons. Often in the daytime we are crammed in the water like sardines, when recreation and educational programming are taking place. We say we are a family friendly city. To me this is not the action of a friend.
Similarly, we do have quite a few arenas in this city for the hockey enthusiasts. I have not heard of children being prevented from getting into an ice hockey program.
Further our provincial government has intimated that regional areas must work together to provide services to citizens. Here is another option to explore.
So before a community frenzy is started and civil unrest breaks out, let us really look at the many options.
Elizabeth Allchin, St. Albert
