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Green space for cancer patients threatened by parkade addition

CALGARY- A green getaway that provides a haven for patients at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, as well as staff, is in jeopardy.

The Foothills Medical Centre needs more parking spaces, and a slope west of 29 St. S.W. is one of the locations being touted as a space for the 1,200 stall parkade.

“I see a lot of walking, I see patients sitting on the top of the slope with family and friends, and people use it as walking trails and cycling trails,” says Judy Hoad from the Parkdale Community Association. “In the previous Foothills master plan, it says the area will not be developed for buildings, and we feel a parkade is a building.

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“I’ve heard 100 per cent opposition to a parkade.”

The area is being suggested as it’s not a prime location for health clinics, and is accessible from the west interchange heading into the hospital.

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“It’s certainly one of the options we’re looking at, but we’ve had a list of concerns we’ve shared with the consultant that’s going to be doing the work,” explains Penny Rae from Alberta Health Services. “We can make sure [concerns are] considered going forward in the process.”

AHS adds that the project is still in its early stages, and they continue to consult with the neighbouring communities of Parkdale, St. Andrews Heights and University Heights.

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