Watch above: Seniors want public park to themselves
SASKATOON – Saskatchewan is among Canada’s provinces with the lowest number of regulated childcare spaces.
Safe, educational, and affordable childcare could be boosted with an additional 90 spots made available under an initiative by the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon (KCOS) called, the Learning Commons.
In 2015, an 18-month transformation to the Ukrainian Catholic Church’s parish hall on 20th Street will begin. The renovation will cost $10-million according to KCOS’s Curtis Kimpton.
“This is an exciting time for this community and as far as renewal goes, you’re seeing it all the way down 20th Street,” said Kimpton, while standing in the parish gymnasium.
The floor boards are rippled from moisture and according to Kimpton, they’re just waiting to be pulled out.
The Learning Commons is a long term strategy to address poverty through education and literacy. Community based organizations will occupy areas the building’s 30,000 square feet.
The intent is to include up to 90 childcare spaces as part of the renovation which will be operated by the YMCA.
According to the provincial government, licensed childcare must include an outdoor play area of seven metres squared per child. The lot is consumed by the parish hall and, once renovated to the Learning Commons, parking spots must be included. This leaves little onsite outdoor area.
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The use of Steve Patola Park across the street would assist in meeting the requirement but there’s a snag in the plan.
“The park is to be used only for senior citizens,” explained Sylvia Zakreski, who’s a board member of St. George’s Senior Citizens’ Club. Zakreski and members of the club voiced their concerns Monday evening at a meeting of City Council.
Zakreski explained in 1977, the City of Saskatoon and the club signed a 50 year lease stating the park will be used only for recreation purposes of the seniors. The group maintains the lawn in the park and pays a dollar per year for the lease.
“If it’s going to be a children’s park, they’ll have to provide children’s equipment: sandboxes, swings … and that’s not conducive for seniors,” stated Zakreski.
The group meets weekly to play cards and currently enjoy using the park benches for outdoor relaxation and they occasionally have park picnics.
Kimpton hopes once the club is provided with information as to when the children would be in the park and for what use, the club will reconsider. The two sides will discuss the issue at the Senior Citizens’ Club’s next meeting. The date is not set.
Childcare at the YMCA’s downtown location has over 150 families on a wait list. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, the Learning Commons will be authorized for about 50 childcare spots rather than 90.
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