february 17, 2021
News Advertiser PAGE 7
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School Officials to Lobby MLA for Handicapped Accessible Loading Zone Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Officials with Buffalo Trails Public Schools, (BTPS) are hoping to meet with Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk in the near future to lobby for a handicapped accessible loading zone for Delnorte School in Innisfree. BTPS Board Chair Lanie Parr stated, “We’re just hoping the MLA will hear what we have to say and understand the reason we’re doing it so that she’s able to advocate on our behalf.” Even though there is only one family who could benefit from having a handicapped accessible loading zone currently, Parr said that it could be an issue if there’s another person who is mobility challenged; either a student, staff, or a family member that drops students off in the future. “We want to make it as accessible as possible for people. We don’t want to create any barriers to have our students or families to be able to get into the school,” added Parr.
• Utilize the large area north of the Library/Millennium Building for offloading and loading for handicapped, as that sidewalk is continuous to the front of the school; • Utilize the area south of the school and create a new drop off/loading zone with accessible parking spots designated; or • Utilize the staff parking zone located between the Millennium Building and Innisfree Delnorte School. Parr said no reason for denying the request was forthcoming from the Village of Innisfree. A copy of the letter Alberta Transportation sent the village was not forwarded to BTPS which she said was surprising and unusual since that is normally the case. “We have gone and looked at it and checked to see the flow of traffic, and it doesn’t seem to be a very busy highway.” She added that usage would be limited to a few minutes in the morning and after school. She added, “The options they gave us for different areas to park are extremely challenging for someone with mobility issues.” Parr is hoping an exception can made to allow for the handicapped accessible loading zone. “We hope to have meeting as soon as possible, but we know it’ll take time for her (MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk) to reach out to Alberta Transportation. BTPS also sent their request to the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Community and Social Services. BTPS Superintendent Rhae-Ann Holoien said the concern was not brought forward by a family. The concern was also not brought forward by Delnorte School’s Parent Advisory Council. Back in the fall of 2019 the PAC sent a letter to the Village of Innisfree requesting no parking signs on SH 870 which was supported by village council and approved by Alberta Transportation. Mayor McMann was asked to provide comment and none was forthcoming as of press time.
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Officials with BTPS are requesting a handicapped accessible loading zone adjacent to Delnorte School in Innisfree. (Michelle Pinon/Photo)
On October 19, 2020, BTPS Facilities Director Randy Huxley wrote to Deborah McMann, the Mayor of the Village of Innisfree requesting that a handicapped parking/loading zone space be established on the road in front of the school’s main entrance. The road Huxley was referring to is Secondary Highway 870. He went on to say, “With the topography of the site and the school being in close proximity to the street, there is limited ability to create a handicap parking/drop off zone in front of the school. Without using the main road, visitors park in the south parking lot. Access to the school from this area, is extremely difficult for mobility challenged individuals.” On December 21, 2020, Huxley received a response from the Village of Innisfree stating his letter of concern had been forwarded to Alberta Transportation. The Village’s letter to Huxley stated, “Alberta Transportation has reviewed your request and has declined the decision and will not permit accessibly parking/ unloading adjacent to the school along Highway 870. Alberta Transportation, as well as Mayor and Council of the Village of Innisfree, presented BTPS with three options. They include:
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