From Welcome to Williams Lake website:
Editor's Note - this is an prime example where the City should have discussed this item at the Joint Committee first and discussed it prior to it being implemented. Other similiar examples and reaction from the public include adoption of and consequent public input for City Bylaw #2093 (Traffic Control - Prohibition of Parking on City-owned boulverards) and the City's Patio Bylaw to allow the installation of the patio at New World Cafe without prior general public input
It is always better to get public input and make things work for the public rather than "doing first and ask questions later"
In consultation with the City’s insurance broker, the City of Williams Lake will no longer require the use of waivers for pool/fitness passes at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. The use of waivers for specific program registration will continue, consistent with past practice.
The City initiated the use of waivers for all pool and fitness pass holders in recent weeks, at the request of the City’s insurer. Since the waivers were initiated, there have been ongoing concerns raised by patrons with respect the wording contained in the waiver, to the point where some patrons have chosen not to renew their fitness passes.
"The intent of the waivers was to inform patrons of the fact that there are inherent risks in using the recreation facility. However, the wording of the waivers was such that patrons felt they were signing away their rights to legal recourse if an injury or loss were to occur." states CAO Brian Carruthers. "The number of complaints we received allowed us to articulate to our insurer what an impact the waivers were having on our clients. As a result, it has been agreed that enhanced use of signage in the facility will be used as an alternative to the waivers."
Waivers have traditionally been required for recreation programs with pre-registration and this practice will continue.
According to Deb Radolla, Manager of Active Living "The City constantly exercises a high degree of risk prevention throughout the Complex and the use of waivers does not reduce the City’s responsibility to provide a safe environment for those who visit the facility or partake in programs."
"Recreation Services strives to promote healthy living and the removal of this potential barrier to staying active in our community facility is a win-win for everyone." Ms. Radolla adds.
1 comment:
I am getting more and more curious as the why the majority of the reports to Council, public inquiries, day to day operations etc,and media quotes are performed by the Manager of Active Living. Where is the department head Geoff Payton? Geoff Goodall and Pat Hogginson represent their department on a regular basis but the only time I have recently heard from Mr Payton was when he was touting his honour at being selected to work on a committee in another community (I agree it is an honour). In fact if one were to go back the past year or more they would probably see that the current Director of Community Services most often only brings forward issues recommended by the joint committee. He was one of the ones given a substantial raise...lets see him out there more and relying less on his Manager. He is after all the department head. With regards to the waiver,good for Mr Carruthers and Ms Radolla from sharing their reasoning, I just think that first off the Director of the Department should have looked into this more thorougly before taking it forward to the joint committee, what do other communities do, how do they do them..very simple research and secondly he should be the one addressing the change.
Lastly to Mr Forseth I do not believe something like a general waiver should need to go to the public for input to me it is more an opertational issue.
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