'They're afraid': Elderly Aurora residents worried about crossing road to seniors' centre

Councillors agree to all-way stop, but say there are bigger concerns

Yorkregion.com
February 11, 2020
Lisa Queen

It may only be a routine all-way stop, but the traffic calming measure points to bigger vehicular problems in the neighbourhood around Aurora’s town hall.

After a plea from David LeGallais, president of the Aurora Seniors Association, councillors have agreed to post stop signs at John West and Amberhill ways, even though a staff study showed the intersection didn’t meet traffic warrants.

Some argued the town should look at further steps aimed at controlling traffic along John West Way, a wide and somewhat curving road that seems to invite speeding, and in the neighbourhood north of the town hall, which drivers cut through to avoid the intersection at Bayview Avenue and Wellington Street.

Because there are only 80 spots in the parking lot, the seniors’ centre shares its parking with the town hall, and many of the club’s members have to park on John West Way, said LeGallais, adding that an average of 200 seniors visit the popular centre daily.

That leaves them crossing the wide road and dodging traffic --a significant worry for older people, he said.

“Some of them tell me they’re afraid. It’s a serious concern,” he said, adding that the centre is not well served by public transit. Most of the 1,600 members get there by car, with some carpooling.

“The problem with seniors is as they get older, they don’t have the same balance or quick mobility. They’re also a little more tentative when they become seniors. They’re a little afraid of opening their doors on John West Way, because the cars are coming up and down so quickly.”

Some seniors have even stopped coming to the centre because they are anxious, LeGallais said.

“Some of them will pass up their activity because they can’t find a parking spot (in the parking lot), which is a shame because it’s probably one of only one or two things they have to do socially for the week,” he said.

“Do you know what the biggest danger to seniors is? Social isolation. If people sit in their homes all the time and don’t go out, then their quality of life isn’t good and the length of their life isn’t as good either.”

According to a 2016 report from the federal government, the social isolation of seniors can have many detrimental effects, including physical and mental health concerns such as addiction, depression, social anxiety, loneliness and alcoholism.

There is also a higher risk of elder abuse among isolated seniors, and communities suffer a lack of social cohesion and higher social costs.

Congestion around the seniors’ centre is part of bigger traffic concerns in the area, including drivers cutting through the neighbourhood to the north, which is served by a roundabout at John West Way and Hollidge Boulevard, LeGallais said.

He’s hoping the new all-way stop at John West and Amberhill ways will result in drivers feeling it’s not saving them time.

Some councillors agree that traffic in the area is a concern the town needs to look at.

“The traffic and the speeding is an issue all over this large subdivision,” Coun. Wendy Gaertner said.

“The council of the day (that approved the subdivision) created a problem with the extremely dense housing here. So we have a problem we need to try to fix.”

She wants to see increased policing and ticketing for traffic infractions, the possibility of installing a red light camera, the creation of a community safety zone, the town to consider posting additional stop signs, and the speed limit reduced to 30 km/h.

“I hope we’ll do everything that we can. It’s not only the seniors' centre. We also have the accessible park, we have I think two or three condos on John West Way, we have retirement living on John West Way. Seniors are valuable and their needs need to be respected. So we as a council and staff need to do everything and try everything in our power.”

Other councillors want the parking shortfall at the seniors’ centre addressed.

The all-way stop at John West and Amberhill ways is just one piece of the puzzle needed to deal with traffic concerns in the area, Mayor Tom Mrakas said.

Aurora’s last council voted against putting in a crosswalk across John West Way, Mrakas pointed out, adding he was in favour of the move.