Westwinds considering permanent closure of pathway

A steep pathway adjacent to seniors housing in Black Diamond where two elderly citizens fell almost two years ago may close for good this week. Foothills’ Westwinds Communities served notice to Glen Mead Park and High Country Lodge staff and residents last month informing them that, due to the pathway’s poor repair and unsafe nature, it’s proceeding with permanently closing the pathway effective Oct. 5. The not-for-profit organization, which provides housing and supportive services for Foothills seniors, is inviting the public to discuss the situation in the High Country Lodge Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. Lauren Ingalls, Westwinds Communities chief administrative officer, said the pathway has closed seasonally for a number of years due to its unsafe nature. “We had two incidents where people had fallen during the winter of 2017-18,” she said, adding one injury was minor and the other resulted in a fractured hip. “It’s been periodically closed over the last 40 years based on the conditions.” Westwinds Communities manages Glen Mead Park on behalf of the Provincial Ministry of Seniors and Housing. The paved pathway extends from Glen Mead Park to 6th Avenue SW down a steep incline through Town property. The portion slated for demolition is located on provincial government land, said Ingalls. “When it was built in the ’70s it was completely suitable back then,” she said. “Forty years ago seniors didn’t have walkers or scooters. It doesn’t meet current development standards. It’s no longer safe.” Since letters went to staff and residents of Glen Mead and High Country Lodge, Ingalls said she’s only heard from one resident who expressed concerns about a suggestion that people use the sidewalk along Highway 22 as an alternate route. “The only concern is from one gentleman who feels the highway is not a safe egress for scooters,” she said. “We looked at it as it’s not a big consequence for seniors except one gentleman who is expressing concern about the highway.” Glen Mead Park resident Gordon Tomke said he’s not happy with the pathway closure or the way it’s been handled, adding residents in the area didn’t have a say in the decision. “Tearing it out or having people walk down Highway 22 is not a solution,” he said. “Somebody is going to get killed.” Tomke said he doesn’t see a reason for a meeting and expressed frustration that it’s being held when much of the working public is unable to attend. “Why are we having the meeting, because the decision is made,” he said. Ingalls said Westwinds met with the Town’s public works department almost four years ago to discuss plans to upgrade the pathway collaboratively. After pricing the project out at about $80,000 in 2015, which would include two switchbacks and a new railing, Ingalls said Westwinds requested capital funding from the Province to pay a portion of the upgrade, but it was rejected. It was rejected again for this and next year’s capital budgets, she said. “We’re not able to replace it and provide the slope that we need at this time,” she said. “We feel we are compelled to close it. We don’t have the money to repair or replace it and we don’t have the resources to insure that kind of risk.” Ingalls said the pathway is used by Westwinds residents, tenants, employees and the general public as a shortcut to Black Diamond’s business district, for sledding on the hill and for walking dogs. “I recognize that people in town use it as a way of getting through town but we have to look at the safety component,” she said. “We know our seniors use it and it’s an issue of contention, but do we let them use it knowing they’re at significant risk. It’s private property, but we let the community use it and there’s a risk element.” Ingalls said Friday’s meeting will include a discussion about replacing the pathway with a newer, safer one if funding becomes available. “We want feedback from people,” she said.