Saving, working hard and sacrificing much is unfortunately too often no longer enough for the many people who want to contribute to Canmore and make a life here.
This is why we need more affordable housing and why council made the right decision re: Larch Park.
This debate should not be about whether seniors or young people are more valuable to the community. Young people are relocating to other communities to raise their families because they cannot afford to do so in Canmore. Adults nearing retirement age also cannot afford to retire here because of the lack of affordable housing.
The fact that there are people in this community who have contributed to it for decades should not be discounted, and they should certainly not be pushed out, but what will happen when less and less people see Canmore as an option for their future?
It would be a shame to see the town go the way of so many small towns in Canada that cannot retain their population.
It would be wise to keep in mind that the economic reality for young people trying to start a life (anywhere in Canada, not just in Canmore) is not the same as it was decades ago, and any city or town wishing to keep its community vibrant and growing needs to adapt to that reality.
Afton Aikens,
Canmore
