I read with interest the Sept. 24 article about St. Albert’s campus-style recreation site. It appears, based on the reporting, that early support seems to be behind the Erin Ridge North location, something that I find a bit puzzling. Currently all of St. Albert’s recreation facilities are in the southeast. For that reason alone, would it not stand to reason then that the northwest would be an appropriate location?
Furthermore, with country residential limiting options around Erin Ridge, the buildout of Riverside, the development of South Riel, and the future extension of Ray Gibbon Drive, it would seem to me that the northwest is a much more forward-thinking option. Add to this all the discussion about existing traffic in the Erin Ridge neighbourhood, and the fact that yet another set of poorly located traffic lights is being added at the north end of St. Albert Trail, and I question the logic behind a large campus-style facility in the same area. This is not even to mention cost implications with the city already owning land in the northwest.
All that said, what I found truly curious is Morinville-St. Albert MLA Dale Nally’s backing of the Landrex proposal. Sure, it’s in his constituency, but why would he weigh in at this stage? I hope it’s inexperience and not the fact that the owner of Landrex made a financial contribution of $750 to the St. Albert UCP last year. St. Albert city council has undertaken a process to consult with its residents and Mr. Nally should respect the autonomy of city council. Mr. Nally didn’t just say he preferred the Landrex option. He said he would “champion it” and that he was prepared to “put his shoulder into it.” If St. Albert chooses a site outside his constituency, will he not put his shoulder into it? I would hope that the city could count on Nally’s support to secure provincial dollars regardless of the location, just as I hope he will support and uphold the agreement to fund the Ray Gibbon Drive expansion, which is also outside his constituency. If Nally’s goal is regional collaboration, a site on the west side could also fit the bill with Trumpeter and Starling just a quick trip down the road.
Is it possible I’m reading too much into this? Sure. I just think there is a fine line here and that city council needs the autonomy to make these decisions without feeling pressured by an MLA who only represents 25 per cent of the city’s residents.
Neil Korotash, St. Albert
