I would like to thank those constituents who take the time to share with me their views and concerns regarding the Government of Alberta updating VLT’s in Alberta. The plan to replace VLT terminals and the central operating system has been part of Alberta Gaming’s Three-year Business Plan since 2001 for a total cost of $106 million. Some of the considerations in this initiative are to replace the obsolete machines and incorporate problem gambling messages. The Government of Alberta takes the issue of problem gambling very seriously and remains committed to financially supporting both AADAC ($4.2 million in 2002/03) and Alberta Gaming Research Institute ($1.5 million in 2002/03) initiatives.

The annual revenue generated by VLT’s is $600 million. This revenue is at risk if the VLT’s are not replaces. VLT revenues go to the Alberta Lottery Fund, which supports thousands of volunteer, public and community-based initiatives across the province, including building and maintaining schools through Alberta Infrastructure ($35 million in 202/03) and to Alberta Learning ($84.1 million in 2002/03). A complete breakdown of how lottery fund revenues are spent is included in the Alberta Gaming Annual Report at www.aglc.gov.ab.ca.

In response to Albertans, the maximum limit of 6,000 VLT’s will remain in place as it has since 1995. In addition, a 10-15% reduction in the number of VLT locations across the province will take place over the next three years.

POTENTIAL CLOSURE OF PARKDALE SCHOOL

Another concern is that of the residents of Parkdale. I have been contacted by several parents in the community concerning the potential closure of the Parkdale school by the CBE. Accordingly, I have written to the CBE and below is an excerpt of my letter of support that the school remain open.

“As the MLA in the area, I have worked with this group and the South Shaganappi Area Planning Group (SSAPG) on their revitalization plans for the community. The community is requesting that you review and consider their five year plan to keep the school open to the community. I have read the five year plan and the solutions are reasonable and very workable. I fully support the Association’s recommendations that the community, Government of Alberta and the Calgary Board of Education focus on working closely to ensure that the school remains open.

The school is located in a densely populated residential area. The community is vibrant and the Association has a strong voice in the constituency. By again placing this school on the potential closure list, leaves families with the impression that the system is unstable and therefore many parents may register their children in private or surrounding schools.

As expressed in the attached letter, this yo-yoing and uncertainly for the school’s closure is not healthy to the community. The demographics of Parkdale and surrounding communities are quickly changing from retirement to young families with preschoolers. It would be unfortunately shortsighted to miss this rapid change in your deliberations. Also for your information, is a letter from the Parkdale Nifty 50’s Social Club.

I have contacted Mr. Jones, principal of Parkdale School, who informed me that in the past there have been waiting lists, but because of the uncertainty of the school’s closure, there currently is no waiting list. I am informed that of the current 152 students, 56 of them are from out of boundary and come from as far a Citadel, simply because the parents have chosen Parkdale School for their children, not because the students were assigned Parkdale as their designated school by CBE. Parkdale School did turn away several students in September to avoid large class sizes.

Please consider our request and I look forward to your response.”
Should you have any questions or comments, I can be reached at:

Consituency Office (Calgary):   Edmonton: Toll-Free:

(403) 216-5400 (780) 415-9459 310-0000