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Gyro Park needs to remain completely public for all
Letter to the Editor
I am in opposition to the decision to place a daycare facility in Gyro Park. I am not opposed to a new daycare facility for Cranbrook. In fact, I believe it is of utmost urgency. I am opposed to removing park space.
When the City of Cranbrook appropriated the land for Gyro Park in 1956 under the leadership of Dr. R. Geddes and the Gyro Club, the population of Cranbrook was 4,562. It is now five times that. Between 1966 and 1976 the population doubled from 7,000 to 15,000. Did the number of parks double? No. Considerable development has taken place since that time but I cannot think of any other parks that have been added to mirror the purpose of this park in this large area of town. A small area at the top of Southview and one undeveloped piece of land on 8th Ave. do exist but neither of those areas have been developed to facilitate what Gyro does.
When Gyro Park was developed it was intended for a children’s playground and adult enjoyment. “A combination of equipment being provided by members of the Cranbrook Gyro Club and work being carried out by the city has made this park a mecca for children and adults too.” Cranbrook Courier August 19 1964. The Gyro Club purchased the equipment and installed a wading pool.
A daycare facility might fit one of the city’s park criteria but not for the general public. A facility for up to 100 children will take up a large footprint on its own. By the time parking and a safe fenced area for preschoolers to play in, is added, the footprint will be larger and for the use of a select few only.
We know the mandate of the School District No. 5 School Board is to take care of this kind of facility. For reasons unstated, the School Board does not want to fulfill their mandate. Would it not make sense to let the city do what they feel they can achieve but on School Board property?
If the city leases the land or has a ‘License to Occupy’, from the School District now, to get the job done, at such time as a new school is built on school district property, the School Board will have a ready-made day care on their property and the servicing of it can be turned over to a future school board to do with as they choose. It would really be a win, win. The city and the School Board has cooperated with other organizations and businesses such as Key City Theatre and the Cranbrook History Centre in situations that concern land and other taxpayer property. Surely, a cooperative initiative can be worked out in this instance.
Looking this gift horse in the mouth on the part of the School Board defies common sense in my opinion. Yes, there will be staffing ramifications, upkeep and all that goes with running any business but this school board cannot predict the future and this school board will not be in place for ever.
If the city is willing to give it a try with the funds being made available, let them, but don’t impede their efforts to assist with child care shortage by depriving them of a piece of land that was purchased for the care and education of children. That is what we pay taxes for.
I urge the School Board and the city to please go back to the drawing board and work something out.
The alternative to this solution of course would be that the School Board themselves have a change of heart and do what many would like them to do, get on with it and build the facility on School Board property as our neighbours in Marysville and many other communities have done.
Gyro Park is a city public green space treasured by residents on the south side of Cranbrook. It has a history. It is valued and once gone it would not likely be restored. The park needs to remain as a complete public park for all.
Jenny Humphrey,
Cranbrook
