I am a list-maker.
I write to-do lists, grocery lists, books-I-want-to-read lists and at no time in the year is it as prominent as in January, when spurred on by the tradition of resolutions, I always seem to be jotting down some kind of list in an effort to motivate me to action.
So in keeping with the theme, this column compiles my personal best and worst list of things related to life in our fair city.
Best improvement to roads: The addition of some new lanes on the Trans-Canada Highway near the SmartCentres development. Four-laning is a critical element to increasing safety and improving traffic flow on the highway.
Worst improvement to roads: The upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway on either side of the SmartCentres development. While the section that has been improved is well done, the layout at either end, by the former Canadian Tire location is a terrible patchwork that, in my mind, is an accident waiting to happen – especially at night. Here’s hoping 2014 will see additional improvements. The west end of town also needs a serious upgrade including major improvements to the Salmon River Bridge. The new section serves to highlight the terrible inadequacies that drivers have been forced to put up with for far too many years.
Best place to spend a winter’s day in the outdoors: Snowshoeing or skiing at Larch Hills. The lantern ski events are especially magical with lit trails and a bonfire to enjoy.
Worst thing missing from the city’s recreation options: an outdoor ice skating rink. While, McGuire and Shuswap Lake can be places to skate, they are often not usable and not maintained. It would be nice to see a real outdoor rink where families could skate or play shinny – maybe at the upgraded Blackburn Park?
Most promising announcement for Salmon Arm’s future: Jerry Thompson’s recent proposed donation of 20 acres of land for the purpose of a downtown Okanagan College campus. This could lay the foundation for a serious bid for an expanded college, possibly with a focus on agriculture. The economic spinoffs from this would be huge.
Worst economic reality: The continued need for many Shuswap families to move away, or have one partner work out of town in order to make ends meet.
Best place for a driver to turn: The installation of a turn signal at 10th Street SW, it will make turning left to head to Piccadilly Mall much easier and safer.
Worst place for a driver to turn: The recent renovations at the uptown Tim Horton’s raised my hopes that something would be done about their access, especially when exiting their drive-thru.
Best place to be for the Christmas season: Well I normally don’t like referencing other media, but it was great to see the Vancouver Province recognizing Salmon Arm as the place Santa loves best. It was a nice reminder for the people who live here not to take our city for granted. The author of the article, Sam Cooper, was once an intern reporter at the Observer, so he knows of what he writes.
