Survey says... We like some things, but are concerned about others

The recent Quality of Life Survey has brought up a few interesting snippets of of information about our community, as local residents took the time to express what they liked and what they were concerned about in Prince Rupert.

Good drinking water and air quality, public safety and freedom from crime were some of the positive attributes to life in Rupert, while poverty, services and support for those with significant barriers, health and medical services and a perception that some areas are suffering crime problems were keys in the negative side of the ledger.

The Daily News provided full details of the report in the Friday edition of the paper.

LOCALS SHARE WHAT THEY LIKE AND HATE ABOUT CITY
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, March 23, 2007

A study on quality of life in Prince Rupert has revealed important values that residents hold in common, regardless of age, sex or social background.

“Not only is this information really compelling but it’s really important because it serves as the basis for the next step, creating a quality of life community plan,” said Jennifer Wilson, consultant.

“We intend to develop a plan, a set of strategies, and a tracking process to ensure Prince Rupert is a great place to live.”

Wilson presented council with the results from the Quality of Life Community Survey at a special meeting this week.

The data was gathered through 300 telephone surveys as well as 20 community meetings with 175 participants between November and February.

In the area of essential attributes, Wilson noted that people feel good quality of life in Prince Rupert relies on good drinking water and air quality, public safety and freedom from crime, an improved local economy that benefits the people who live here, local access to health and medical services, opportunities for physical activity that improves and maintains good health, and protection of natural areas and landmarks.

“Planning for the city’s future must keep attention focused on these characteristics of a good city to live in,” she said.

“Efforts must be made to preserve and enhance these aspects and ensure they are not undermined in the future.”

Wilson noted in the area of personal satisfaction, there were five issues held in common, including providing services for people with drug and alcohol problems, assisted housing for the elderly and those with disabilities, and affordable housing.

“These are themes that resonate with different age groups in the community.”
Areas that are performing well in the city and should be preserved for the future include performing arts, visual arts, cultural opportunities, adult recreation, and the library; the contribution of service organizations such as Rotary, Elks and Shriners, the variety and quality of personal and professional services, access to outdoor recreation such as hiking, kayaking and camping, knowing neighbours and living in a good place to raise a family, good air quality, grocery stores, good quality recreation facilities and enough playing fields and ball diamonds; and public transportation.

Issues in need of serious attention included poverty, services and support for those with significant barriers (i.e. the lack of assisted-living housing and affordable housing for those with low incomes and the lack of services for people with mental health and substance abuse problems); health and medical services (i.e. poor access to medical specialists and general health and medical services); quality of city services related to cleanliness, signage, garbage pick up, and sidewalk maintenance; services to support young adults (i.e. the inability of youth to further their education, get good jobs without having to move and access quality recreation services), safety (i.e. not feeling safe downtown at night; children not being safe to play outside and the perceived rising crime rate in some neighbourhoods).

Other issues in need of attention included the poor quality of water in the harbour, lack of services to support healthy young children (i.e. not enough early childhood development services, daycare, before and after school care, parks and playgrounds), a limited variety of retail shops; and limited opportunities for being physically active enough to improve or maintain good health.

This information, combined with engineering information provided by UMA Engineering will be combined to help draw up development scenarios for the community.

These will be presented at open houses later this spring.