So the roller coaster/soap opera ride goes on – in St. Albert Council Chambers.
We cannot provide free passes to encourage the pool use for 80+ aged citizens. It is common knowledge that as we age one of the safest and most beneficial forms of exercise is in the water. This could help alleviate demands on our medical system!
We do not want to appear to be giving too much to the older generation? We have been spending thousands of dollars every year on the Children's Festival. In fact the seniors centre cannot hold all its programs as the facility is used for the Festival.
Council has decided to give free transit passes to young people – not seniors! So who is being favoured?
It seems that the City advisory councils were in favour of the seniors' 80+ pass. Advisory councils are mere window dressing!
Now perhaps the bottom line reason for this decision is that we do not have enough pool space to accommodate the potential demand. We can however afford to spend $796,000 on a NEW storefront library, when the plebiscite we held revealed citizens wanted a new pool.
It is time that council took off its blinkers and really saw what is needed in our city. The number of seniors is growing – while the number of children decline. This is a global trend!
If the mayor is really looking at what the City needs she ought to read the results of questions that were asked!
Elizabeth Allchin, St. Albert
