Editor:
At the Delta council meeting of Feb. 11, a letter was presented to council concerning the difference between the recreation fees charged by Surrey and Delta to those of us who are over 70.
In Surrey, residents who are over 70 pay a drop in charge of $1.75, a monthly charge of $18 and a yearly charge of $131, while here in Delta we pay a drop in of $5.75, a monthly rate of $47.99 and a yearly amount of $473.
At the council meeting our mayor and council received the letter and it was forwarded to the parks, recreation and culture commission for discussion at its next meeting, which the mayor said was in May.
The new Surrey council, which was sworn in on Nov. 5, changed the fees on Dec. 18 and offered a pro-rated refund to those who had already purchased a pass. Our new council, sworn in one day later, obviously does not feel this is of any importance as we are being asked to wait well into the summer to perhaps see any changes made.
Maybe our mayor and council should take note that encouraging seniors to be active and engaged is important not only to the quality of life of older adults but also helps to promote a healthy lifestyle that reduces cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, obesity, falls and osteoporosis as well as cognitive impairments leading to an overall reduction in health costs.
By reducing these fees it would make it easier for those on a fixed income to enjoy and benefit from the use of our exceptional recreational facilities and the programs they offer.
I request on behalf of all of my contemporaries that our mayor and council look at these fees and act quickly to reduce them to meet those of our neighbour.
Dudley Turner
