I’m handicapped. Nothing unusual about that. Two years ago, I suffered a catastrophic fall. Now I can’t walk without a walker, which also carries my oxygen bottle. Bad things happen and more bad is coming because I won’t be able to access the Seniors on the Bow, which is on the second floor of the Spray Lakes Recreation Centre. Due to construction, the centre core of that building is being closed for renovations, which means I cannot go to the Bow Valley Seniors Centre. The one and only elevator, probably too small to even get an ambulance stretcher in, is being closed off for a month or more. The Spray Lakes Recreation Centre was built inexpensively.
As a former Architect, I have spotted a place in the present building, which appears to me to be perfect for a new, larger elevator. It can go into the lobby of arena two, opening on the second floor into the wide corridor. For people who are handicapped, that would be a much shorter distance to cover, and make a perfect place for moms and their strollers to get much closer to the kiddies areas too.
There are all kinds of infrastructure grants out there, the federal government and others could contribute to this really necessary addition.
The Town of Cochrane, with I’m sure the backing of the seniors on the Bow, should lead the charge to get the funds together – now!
Cheers
Ken Hutchinson
