Molly Banister extension needs to be protected. As a long time Sunnybrook resident, I once opposed it but fervently believe it should be built.

20 years ago when the population of Red Deer was 60,000+/- it did not seem important. The trails were nice, families enjoyed the woods. Watching the deer and moose and even skunks.

10 years ago when the population of Red Deer was 90,000+/- it started to mean something. Traffic on 32 Street was getting busier, louder and faster. 40 Ave started getting busier and accidents were getting more common at the intersection of 32 Street and 40 Avenue. The children still enjoyed the woods outside my house and the grandchildren liked the magical forests, the animals and the fellowships of hikers and dog walkers.

A few years ago the population of Red Deer was almost a 100,000 and the grandchildren stopped wanting to go in the woods. It started with the homeless camps, the needles, the garbage and the dangers that clouded the woods.

Fewer people were walking passed our house but there was an increase of seemingly homeless people scoping out the neighbourhood, more thefts, more garbage, more needles, fewer animals and fewer times of enjoyment.

32 Street got busier, more people short cutting down Selkirk Boulevard to avoid the 32 St. and 40 Ave, intersection.

On the other side of the woods by my house is a little street that runs from 32 Street to Sunnybrook Farms and the traffic is increasing.

Now a developer wants to remove the Molly Bannister extension from the neighbourhood plans, so he can build more housing. Don’t we have 3,000 acres north of 11a looking to be developed? Aren’t the 3 neighbourhoods sitting with plenty of empty lots up by the 40 Ave and 67Street traffic circle, struggling to grow? Hasn’t Capstone neighbourhood been on the books for years, and delayed again?

I have noticed great changes since the city had only 60,000 residents, what will happen when the city hits 180,000 residents and the extension is removed? Increase 32 Street to 8 lanes because they are already talking about widening to 6 lanes.

My apologies from one who once opposed the extension, sat on the environmental board and helped update the city’s Environmental Master Plan I now wholeheartedly support keeping the land for a future Molly Bannister Extension.

I think everyone should think about the ramifications and let the city know. Thank you.