Editor: Dear Mayor Borrowman and members of council.
On behalf of the Lawrence Grassi School community, I would like to express my appreciation for the investment in infrastructure improvements identified in the 2017 and 2018 capital budget for the Town of Canmore.
These improvements, especially those to the roundabout at Spring Creek Drive, the intersection in front of our school (7th Avenue and 6th Street), and the Bow bridge corridor will make it safer, more convenient and more enjoyable for students and staff to walk and wheel to school.
Using active modes of travel to and from school does wonders for our students. On arrival at school, students who have walked and biked are alert, happy and ready to settle down to the task of learning. The school trip provides them with a significant portion of the daily physical activity that is required for optimal health.
Having good walking and cycling infrastructure for the school trip means less vehicle congestion around our school and cleaner air. We care about the environment and we are concerned about climate change, so lessening our carbon footprint by using sustainable modes of transportation is important to us.
The students gain independent mobility and become more connected to their community. These are skills that are useful over their lifetime. But the benefits go beyond the students. When we create a community that works for the children, it works for all members of our community.
Between 30 and 40 per cent of our school population regularly walk and cycle to school, even throughout winter. Indeed, some students are committed to never missing a day of using active modes to get to school their entire school career, even if it means cross-country skiing.
They will be so happy to see these improvements made. It is hoped that these improvements will encourage even more of our school population to walk and wheel.
We thank you for the visionary ‘Complete Streets’ approach that is being taken to the development and re-development of our roadways. It is inclusive, accessible and equitable to those who do not drive. It adds so much to the quality of life of living in this beautiful community.
Town of Canmore, you do indeed go beyond.
Nadine Trottier
Principal
Lawrence Grassi Middle School
