Children under the age of eight are not permitted on the track at Servus Place unless they are in a stroller. Given that the place bubbles over with families and activity this is surprising. The staff on duty stated it was because children are often left unattended. Later, the manager on the phone informed me that it is a safety issue and they are monitoring industry trends to see if other centres are permitting access. I am left wondering when we choose to be a leader and create policy that embraces all?
A typical five-and-a-half-year-old does not belong in child minding or a stroller. There are many St. Albert Grade 2 children training for our RunWild. Several are not quite eight, so are turned away. So many lost opportunities are evident: children being active alongside their parent, seniors interacting with children on the track and obviously the direct health benefits to the child. I respect that there is a need for rules and guidelines but I don't understand completely denying access to this thriving demographic. When I broached how we can be trained with rules and regulations to safely swim with children of all ages, I inquired that surely similar parameters for children to walk/run on our city’s only indoor track could be explored? I was informed they could die due to a high velocity collision. Granted that is possible, it is also possible to manage respecting all abilities and ages as best we can, like we do on our outdoor trails and sidewalks.
I am not advocating that free rein be granted. I am advocating for inclusive policy, with rules and guidelines. Just like in a pool. If the rules are not being followed, ask my child and me to leave but don't deny access completely. Respectfully, I ask that this policy be reconsidered.
Trina Johnson, St. Albert
