Dear Editor,
Although Janice and I have moved to Spruce Grove, we still have an affinity for Barrhead and we still own property in the community. We have been very impressed with your continued efforts to develop a modern swimming pool that would be extremely beneficial to all the residents of the Town and County. Since our retirement, we have had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in the recreational facilities in Whitecourt, Westlock and Spruce Grove as well as other arenas with larger populations. Most of these facilities have been one step ahead or more modern than what we have in Barrhead. For example, the arenas in Westlock and Spruce Grove had folding seats for spectators with additional sporting facilities attached for all types of family involvement.Whitecourt has two attached arenas. We have a nice arena, but not up to these near by standards. The swimming pools in these other communities are way beyond the walk-in entry pool with a few swimming lanes. The flowing rivers, fountains and other features are standard. Barrhead should not compromise at a lower price project as we have done in the past. Even our lot sizes in Beaver Brook were made smaller than originally planned, thereby curtailing the option for larger homes. Years ago, a Mayor told us that people do not need three car garages, molded seats in an arena or “all that extra stuff in a swimming pool.” That person was right about need; however, young families will go to the communities that go beyond the basics. They want the opportunity to build larger homes, to send their children to modern schools, to live in a safe environment, to enjoy sufficient services and a tremendous variety of recreational opportunities. Rest assured that all potential newcomers to the Barrhead area will carefully rate what is available in each community, and Barrhead should want to be a step ahead of the others rather than be equal or less. A prominent Barrhead Senior Citizen recently told us that the age group will not accept higher taxes and that they do not need any changes in services. We participated in the questionnaire on “transportation needs for Barrhead citizens” and found it interesting that this group of people would like an improved transportation system for them, but that this should be provided without much personal cost. Additional service for seniors and all Barrhead people will cost money. This means growing the tax base or charging each person more. If the Barrhead community does not provide the outstanding product that younger people are searching for, they will go to the communities that are raising the standards bar. It is interesting that the Rotary Club in Morinville is presenting a multi-million dollar project for new recreation facilities so they can attract young families. Spruce Grove is building a new facility for gymnastics that is approved at over 10 million dollars. Not all people in Spruce Grove were happy with this idea, but the number of young people looking forward to booking space here is exceeding expectations. A facility like this takes courage to build but it is forward thinking to what families want. Barrhead has had an economic development board (which I, Bruce, sat on) for many years. Individuals sit on this board with good intentions; however, this board will continue to spin it’s wheels without outstanding forward thinking and spending by the leaders of our Town and County. Keep up the good work.
Janice and Bruce Steinbring
