I am lucky to have grown up in St Albert and after years of living away from my hometown, I am fortunate to have moved back.
I know of no greater place to be raising my son. We live in a wonderful neighbourhood, he attends an excellent school, we make use of the beautiful parks and trails and the sports and recreational programs he participates in are the best we've experienced.
Having said that, I am curious why such a prosperous community cannot provide its young children with "potty" facilities at our ball and soccer parks. At my son's last rally cap (T-ball) game, I noticed several different parents having to drive their children to the nearest gas station or home to use the washroom. Having to miss half their game is terribly upsetting to these young children, who already miss a number of games due to weather in their short season. Trying to reason with an upset six- or seven-year-old in front of a crowd of other children and parents is no easy feat. The next option is escorting their children to the nearest group of trees to use the "natural facilities," which I also have witnessed a great deal of during the games.
I am not condoning peeing in public but neither am I putting down parents who have no choice if they allow their child to do so, to spare them the embarrassment of wetting their pants in front of their peers.
We pay a "pretty penny" here in St Albert for our sports programs. We also have very high taxes. Can someone please enlighten us curious parents as to why we cannot be provided with potties for our pretty pennies?
Janice Foster, St. Albert
