Path’s future unclear

Seniors say the impending closure of a path near seniors’ housing in Black Diamond is unnecessary. At a public meeting on Oct. 5, Bob Burroughs, High Country Lodge resident, suggested signs go up stating the public use the pathway at their own risk rather than closing it. “We want it as is,” Burroughs said. “We love it.” About a dozen seniors attended the meeting in response to a notice served by Westwinds Communities last month that informed Glen Mead Park and High Country Lodge staff and residents that due to the pathway’s poor repair and unsafe nature, it’s proceeding with permanently closing a portion of the trail, which extends from Glen Mead Park to 6th Ave. SW. Lyle Mitchell, who lives at the bottom of the hill, suggested it remain open until it’s been replaced, adding it’s already a liability. “You guys talk about liability but it hasn’t been cleared off since it snowed,” he said. “That path is still open so the path should be cleared.” He added that directing seniors to take the sidewalk along Government Road, a busy highway through town, is a greater danger. “It’s unsafe because the driveways make the scooters tilt towards the road,” he said. Westwinds, a not-for-profit organization that provides housing and supportive services to seniors, manages Glen Mead Park on behalf of the Provincial Ministry of Seniors and Housing. The portion of the pathway slated for demolition is on provincial land. “We already know it’s unsafe,” said Lauren Ingalls, Westwinds Communities chief administrative officer. “It was built in the 70s.” Ingalls said Westwinds applied for funding to make it wider and less steep, but was denied. “This is subsidized housing and they have given us limited capital funds,” she said. “None of it has been for landscaping or the pathway. Write your MLA, make it a priority.” Ingalls said when Westwinds updates its 2019 budget next month, it will make the $40,000 request a priority. The non-profit discussed splitting the estimated $80,000 cost with the Town in 2015. Snow removal equipment owned by the Town and Westwinds is too wide to clear the path, she said. “We have difficulties maintaining it,” she said. “In its current condition we have to hand shovel it.” Sharlene Brown, Black Diamond chief administrative officer, said Town employees have fallen on the pathway, in addition to two seniors, in recent years. Surveys filled out by attending seniors asked how often they use the path, when, would they use a wider trail with a gradual slope and what their key considerations for a pathway would be. Ingalls said feedback from the meeting will be shared with residents in a month, during which time pathway closure and demolition is expected. This winter, Ingalls will meet with the Town to discuss options for the pathway and funding priorities, with the expectation of seeing a new path built in the area in two to four years.