DIDSBURY - Two-and-a-half months after appearing before the Town of Didsbury's council to request members consider turning a town-owned property near the museum into an official public park, resident Kathleen Windsor sent a follow-up letter expressing concerns.
Located at 2134 - 22 Street, the 3.17 acre property is the site of the former Didsbury High School.
Windsor appeared before council on Jan. 28 after conducting public consultation through social media, personal visits and phone calls.
“What is paramount right now, and I can’t emphasis it enough, is council’s decision to leave the former high school land, also known as Moose Fence Park, as is, letting it become a truly special public space,” she said.
During her Jan. 28 council appearance, Windsor presented letters of support for keeping the property as a public park from the Didsbury Museum, Westglen School, Ross Ford Elementary School and the Didsbury Municipal Library.
Her follow up letter came before the April 8 regularly-scheduled council meeting.
In her letter, Windsor said, in part, “Because I made a presentation earlier this year regarding the possibility of town council supporting this land as a park, I wanted to express my concern that that option was not even considered, let alone researched.”
Although the town has passed a motion putting the property up for sale, that motion could still be rescinded, she said.
“In my presentation, I supplied positive comments regarding the possibility of keeping this land as a community park from about 40 residents, the Didsbury & District Historical Society, the Didsbury Municipal Library representing its active followers, 270 students represented by Westglen Middle School, and 375 students represented by Ross Ford Elementary School. Each of those community leaders and residents wanted the land to be kept as green space.
“I remain disappointed that council did not even consider doing a survey of residents, or at least area residents, including the schools, to realize the preference of its citizens to keep this green space.”
Windsor concluded her letter by saying, “I am writing this letter because I feel it is important that residents who supported this plan initially know that I did not let it drop. Their opinions are valuable and I wanted them to know those wishes were respected and followed up on.”
Following an in-camera session during the April 8 council meeting, mayor Rhonda Hunter said she planned to send a written reply to Windsor’s letter.
Also at the April 8 meeting, council carried a motion that the town’s acting chief administrative officer and the mayor meet with Chinook’s Edge School Division officials for discussions regarding the old high school lands.
