Special Olympics athletes latest to be hindered by transit changes
By Gillian Slade on September 13, 2017.
Special Olympics chair Sandy Mahon (centre, standing) gathers with a group from the Special Olympics bowling team who are finding it a challenge to get to the bowling alley due to the changes to city transit. Pictured are Kaytlyn Spicer, Nathan Maurer, Shirley Frank, Peter Frey, Susan Spicer, Shirley Bauer, Brydon Marchand, Sandy Mahon, Terri Didack and Dean Marchand.--NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETTgslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade About 55 local Special Olympics athletes are facing an obstacle to their participation because of changes to public transit, says an organizer. Registration takes place on Saturday on Third Street NW at the Elks Hall. There is no public transit in that area on weekends though. It would mean a walk from Altawana Drive for about nine blocks, something physically impossible for many, says chair Special Olympics Sandy Mahon. It is too late to change the venue for registration now, said Mahon. Even if the registration was changed to a more central location such as the mall, the limited transit service on Saturday may still put the bus out of reach from the athletes’ homes. “As you know we were instructed by council to bring back options for increased weekend services along with budget amendments for council’s consideration, however we obviously can’t have those approved let alone implemented by Saturday,” said city CAO Merete Heggelund. “We will certainly take her concerns into consideration when we look at the options for additional service.” A former alderman, Ken Sauer, says this is about more than just Special Olympics. “Public transit is an essential and a social service,” said Sauer, expressing disappointment and shock how the new transit changes have been rolled out. Many of the Special Olympics participants also depend on public transit to reach the venues all over town where they practise each week in preparation for the next provincial Special Olympics in two years, said Mahon. “Closest stop of our bowlers is three blocks away,” said Mahon. “On a good day for good walkers that is fine but what about winter and people who can’t walk in snow and ice? It is an obstacle for our athletes.” Some athletes have already indicated they may simply withdraw. That could mean a specific program will be cut. The few able to get personal rides to the various venues may not be enough to warrant the continuation of that program, said Mahon. “Our oldest athlete is 72 years old. There is no way she could walk the distance she will have to walk,” said Mahon. “No Special Olympics athletes have a drivers licence … so they depend on the bus.” Sauer suggests the “survey” the city says supports the cuts to transit havs been misinterpreted. He feels some are basing their opinion on seeing buses with very few passengers. Sauer suspects they did not consider that it could be the only way for some people to get around — people who have no other option. 13
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