The Municipality of Jasper is considering placing some of its administrative staff in the Seniors’ Lounge at the Jasper Activity Centre.
The Jasper Seniors Society, which occupies the lounge and has 175-plus members, is vocally opposed to relocating, saying that it has a lease with the municipality.
“The current proposal from the municipality does not indicate how long they would occupy the lounge, or if we ever get it back, and we fear we wouldn’t,” Janis Marks, president of the Jasper Seniors Society, told council on Tuesday (Oct. 8). “We want to take part in restoring our community, and what is being proposed just seems more disruptive than constructive.”
On Monday (Oct. 7), the municipality held a meeting with the society’s membership to hear feedback about the proposal.
CAO Bill Given described how the municipality was facing “space pressure,” particularly as wildfire recovery continues and new staff are hired, and already had staff sharing offices.
The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre, meanwhile, is working with the Alberta government to potentially utilize space in the provincial building.
Marks recognized the efforts of the municipality during the wildfire recovery and acknowledged it needed more space for staff, particularly as 20 new recovery positions have been approved.
“Now, this might seem a logical approach to some, but the reality is we have been approached at least three times in the past [about relocating] and not really having or being offered suitable alternative,” she said. “And so, this is nothing new. This is not a result of just this disaster that we’ve experienced.”
Marks questioned why the need for more administrative space wasn’t considered when planning the ongoing renovations at the Activity Centre.
Originally called the Senior Citizens’ Room, the lounge has been a dedicated place for local seniors since 1974. Marks argued the society uses the space to the best of its ability and for the good of the community.
“It’s more than just a place for monthly meetings,” she said. “It’s an ideal location for activities, socializing, coffee chats, informal formal discussions. All of the efforts offer support in dealing with the mental well-being of seniors, which is more of an issue than ever.”
Marks noted alternate locations would not have the same access and flexibility as the lounge. The society also shares the space with other groups.
She told council the society would be willing to work with the municipality to address the lack of office space.
“Basically, we’re saying we’re not prepared to move,” Marks added. “Don’t put the onus on seniors to be the solution to your problem.”
Coun. Helen Kelleher-Empey highlighted a 900-square-foot space wouldn’t be able to accommodate many staff.
“Personally, I’ve worked a lot with the seniors, especially in the last three years on council, and I think it’s important that seniors keep their space,” Kelleher-Empey said. “It’s important for our displaced seniors that they come back. It’s important for their mental well-being, and the seniors are willing to work with other groups to also use their space.”
Mayor Richard Ireland pointed out Jasper had a limited amount of space due to being in a national park and not every group in the community was able to have its own dedicated space.
“It has been a long-standing issue, and it’s based on the fact that we face an issue with very little land for any purpose in this community,” Ireland said. “Yes, we want those seniors who have been displaced to be back, but we need a recovery team to get that organized. It is important that they go back to as much normality as possible.”
