With spring flowers in bloom and the Cochrane hill greening up, there is optimism in the air and it is Seniors' Week!
Our seniors are a vital part of our community. They are parents, grandparents, mentors, friends, employees and employers. They are our walking historians, community builders, volunteers and they deserve our gratitude, respect and attention.
Thank you to the Seniors’ Advisory Committee for dedicating their time to advocate and inform us about what’s on the minds of Cochrane seniors. Isolation, access to medical care, and services to offer the ability to age in place as top-of-mind items that seniors are concerned with. This provides us the framework to get busy and tackle these issues so we may offer peace of mind to this special group of people.
As we creep toward the light at the end of the tunnel with COVID-19 I am hopeful we will soon see a return of our beloved community events bringing with them the opportunity to connect once more. Also, the ability to visit, share conversations— IN PERSON— And get back to handshakes and hugs.
Plans are underway for a new seniors’ centre which will be located in the heart of Cochrane making it more easily accessible. The location will also provide an ability to expand program offerings and to establish service partnerships with the library and transit hub which are nearby. Discussions are also underway to move Big Hill Lodge to the same area to broaden services and for ease of accessibility.
I mentioned in my last column what work has been done to address the recent announcement of clinic closures and that work continues. We are striving to build a complete community and a key component to that is health care and doctors. I promise you Council is aware of these concerns and is working on a plan to attract more doctors and help retain existing practitioners.
As the restrictions ease, I look forward to being able to visit, share plans and hear from you. I am always available to communicate with you directly to provide additional information or to hear your concerns on issues that affect you and those you love. You can reach out to me directly at [email protected] or 403-851-2500.
Happy Seniors’ Week,
Jeff Genung
Mayor
