Reasonable, Easy Access to the Children's Hospital
(REACH Committee)
Calgary, Alberta
   The REACH Committee is a city-wide coalition of Calgarians dedicated to participatory decision-making on the future of the Alberta Children's Hospital. If a new Children's Hospital is to be built, it should be at the right location, for the right reasons, and following correct procedures.
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As Alderman John Schmal asked the University's representative at the City's Transit, Transportation, and Parking Committee --
If this location is so good, why did the 
U of C and the CHR spend so much money on full-page ads in Calgary newspapers? 		  

When we chose from three sites for the new Children’s Hospital, we were so determined to make the worst choice that we chose:



 
The only site that would destroy highly valued green space The only site without LRT access
The one city quadrant that hadn’t asked for it The site that would incur maximum cost for infrastructure work and servicing
The half of the city farthest away from the majority of its clientele The site that would maximize residential disruption and property value loss in the wake of development
The one site where normal city development process, and its safeguards, could be waived The only site actually on a Dangerous Goods route

To make things even better we put this choice through a wildly expensive six-month PR spin designed to make our very own worst choice look like  the product of  folksy democracy and community consultation. And we’re happy to say that, so far Calgary, defending our worst choice against the ensuing outrage hasn’t cost much. 
Check out The Herald’s rates if you don’t believe us*.
 
 

*For only $10,000.00 you too can have your own full-page ad in The Calgary Herald!  If your name is Jim, a fawning editorial will be thrown in at no extra charge.