In 2004 a plebiscite, that allowed teenagers and non-taxpayers to vote, approved the building of Servus Place. I voted no. A 55-per-cent win gave it the OK. The taxpayers of St. Albert have been paying a yearly Servus Place Capital Cost ranging from $200 to the present $154 since it was built in 2006. A loss of $2.2 million the first year and losses every year until 2014 have also added to the already overburdened taxpayers’ bill.
My ‘no’ vote stemmed from the fact that, as a senior, I had no practical use for the facility for one, and second, it was being built in an obscure corner of the city and did not receive the blessing and financial support from the surrounding communities, who are now using it at no cost to them other than membership.
Then – in 2014, I discovered Pickleball and, to my delight, it was offered at Servus Place on Wednesdays, during the day, and twice a week at night. Sadly the nets are sagging, a basketball hoop interferes on one court, the ball is forever travelling through the other courts (which can be dangerous), and the noise level on Wednesdays is deafening from the adjoining area, but it is a place to play before summer comes and gives us the option of going outside.
The St. Albert Pickleball Association started out last year with about 20 members. It is now at 60-plus with the majority being seniors. Because of the huge interest and participation, and three to six courts being offered at Servus Place, we agreed to a time limit of eight to 10 minutes per game to give everyone a fair chance to play. We have fun.
Now Servus Place has decided we are “organized” because of the time limit and method used to send people out to play. Their plans for future use allow a maximum of 18 people to play under supervision from a Servus Place employee. Where do the other members and non-members go when the magic number of 18 is filled up? Does this mean that my SP Capital Costs are going to go up again to accommodate a supervisor for us seniors?
After I heard of this disheartening intention of Servus Place, I have once again decided that SP has nothing to offer for me. A fun and relaxed activity has become bogged down in bureaucracy and control. Who needs it? What are the benefits to such a limited program? Is there no common sense left in this society? Are the seniors being punished for voicing their opinions?
The saga continues. We are grateful to have outdoor courts supplied by the city. However, the asphalt is cracked and dangerous. Dividers are needed between courts to stave off stepping on errant balls. A windscreen would make it possible to play on windy days. A locker is needed to store equipment for newcomers wanting to try out the game. Benches to sit on. These are all being requested from the city and would be greatly appreciated by the growing number of Pickleball players, who can range from age 6 to 90 years. It is a great sport and facilitating it would be of benefit to the citizens of St. Albert.
In essence this is a letter of complaint in the hope that the fastest growing sport in North America can be given the opportunity to grow here in St. Albert, as it has in our neighbouring communities. It is my understanding that the city has been approached on this matter with less than optimum success. When questioned where we fit in the long range recreational planning, the response was, at present there is no such option but we are on their “ radar.” I am not sure what that means. I believe that a liaison, Roy Bedford, has been allotted to us from the city recreation department. Thank you for that. Perhaps we could all work together to receive any grants that are available through the government and to be included in future budgets.
I am not a board member on the SAPA (St. Albert Pickleball Assoc.) This letter is strictly a personal concern that is voiced by many of our members.
Dorothy Hunt, St. Albert
