It’s pretty rare to see a physical protest against government decisions in Okotoks.
In the past, people have taken to signing petitions and rallying supporters in-person and online, but the construction at Ethel Tucker Park has brought about a new kind of protest.
On April 13 concerned citizens came out to the park to show their discontent over council’s decision to remove 22 trees in anticipation of construction of the Arts and Learning Campus buildings, which will change the look of the park and landscaping.
Citing concerns over the trees themselves, losing the park dedicated to long-time volunteer Ethel Tucker, building in a flood zone and not having information about the project before council “slid it in” during a pandemic, people have been putting up signs and showing up on-site to have their voices heard.
While there are also a petition and social media groups forming over the trees, a pandemic isn’t the right time to launch a protest considering government requirements for social distancing.
That’s not to say people don’t have the right to question their municipal government’s actions – but where were these same people 15 months ago, one year ago, six months ago or two months ago when the Arts and Learning Campus took centre stage at council meetings, open houses, in the newspaper and on the radio?
There have been countless opportunities over the course of the project development to voice concerns and provide feedback. Coming out to the park at the 11th hour won’t be as effective as level-headed conversation in the months leading up to approval of the building.
Some of the facts have been skewed along the way – the park is not going to disappear, nor is Ethel Tucker’s legacy. The development plan for the Arts and Learning Campus provides new, redrawn park boundaries and replanted trees, which will take years to mature but shouldn’t count as a total loss.
Looking back at information provided at council meetings and public open houses over the past year, answers to questions surrounding flooding and cost are addressed and the Town has ensured it is building to a one-in-200-year flood level to mitigate that risk. In addition, it is building on land it already owns, reducing the cost of purchasing new land.
These questions were answered in response to a few residents who did come out to council meetings and open houses over the past 15 months to learn more and provide their opinions and observations.
Raising concerns, questioning, starting conversations and even protesting over council matters and Town business are the rights of Okotoks citizens who have elected their leaders.
But timing is everything.
