Four residents from different generations have expressed how well Moose Jaw is — or isn’t — equipped to deliver a solid quality of life for them and their cohorts now and in the future.
Baby boomer Kelly Carty, Gen Xer Geoff Anderson, millennial Christine Keck and Gen Zed Avery Seman gathered in the Mae Wilson Theatre on April 6 as part of a panel discussion — entitled “Generations fuel the future” — about their needs and desires for what the community offers.
Each panellist spoke about his or her past, how long they had lived here, what kept them here, and their hopes and dreams for Moose Jaw.
Baby boomer
Carty was born and raised in Moose Jaw and is the business development officer for the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. She sits on many boards because she believes volunteering makes Moose Jaw a better place.
“Most of my generation appreciate the quality of life that Moose Jaw has to offer … ,” she continued. “I tell myself that I’m not quite at that stage (of being a senior), but it is great to know all ages have a place to socialize and places where they can find and feel they are safe and cared for.”
Gen Xer
Anderson lived in Iqaluit, Nunavut and was impressed with the people there. That experience shaped him and how he leads people today, while he also became passionate about wanting to help develop others.
He visited Moose Jaw several times while working with Federated Co-operative Limited and was impressed with the amenities, culture, “the gem of a downtown” and the opportunities for his family.
As general manager of Moose Jaw Co-op, he looks for ways to strengthen the company, but also believes “you have to look outward to strengthen inward.” So, he joined the boards of the downtown business association and Moose Jaw Transition House to contribute to the community.
Millennial
Keck worked in Calgary for 12 years before moving here in 2019 and opening Cranberry Collective.
“I really love my job and I’m happy to be here,” she said.
She and her husband have no kids, which is different since many millennials have children. Meanwhile, it has been difficult to make friends because the pandemic stole two years from them to meet people.
“Since (the pandemic’s height), my husband has joined pickleball, so he’s loving that and made some connections through that sport,” Keck chuckled. “… But it is a challenge in adulthood to make friends, as silly as that sounds.”
Gen Z
Semans, 18, in Grade 12 at Vanier, lives with her parents and is on the youth advisory committee. She volunteers heavily and listed the many activities, groups and teams on which she participates.
She plans to attend the University of Calgary this fall to study human rights law. She noted that many youths her age plan to move away because they feel their towns “are stifling” and they desire to escape. Yet, for her, Moose Jaw is an amazing place and she is “so wonderfully proud” of it.
Living in Moose Jaw
Carty said her parents left her their Palliser-area home — her dad built it — after they died, so she stayed even though she has lived all over the world. Also, she thought the city was a great place to raise kids, has great history and has a vibrant theatre scene.
The Andersons moved to West Park because they liked the lot sizes and now enjoy their 1,500-square-foot, five-bedroom home because they can host relatives. Also, there are plenty of activities, many walking trails and an “outdoorsy feel” to the area.
Keck and her husband live on South Hill in a five-bedroom home, a step up from their two-bedroom home in Calgary. However, compared to Cowtown, The Friendly City is more affordable. Also, they love the walking trails behind their home and they can travel anywhere in 10 minutes.
Semans lives with her parents in the Sunningdale area. She has enjoyed watching a new generation of children grow up in her neighbourhood.
Travelling in Moose Jaw
When asked what activities are within walking distance, Carty said she takes her dogs to Spring Creek; Anderson can access West Park trails; the Kecks must drive to reach downtown or Thatcher, while she was unsure if they would ever use the bus; and Semans said she can access a nearby outdoor rink and walking paths.
Meeting priorities
Semans said school is her priority, so the community is meeting her needs just fine.
Keck said while her husband works from home, it would be great to see more job opportunities and economic development.
Anderson said Moose Jaw has many amenities, but he wanted more options for men’s clothing. He also wanted new industries, especially since the community’s stagnant population growth is concerning and the future is troubling with deaths exceeding births.
Increasing the population by 10,000 people would offset rising taxes, while it would ensure the city can continue to offer services, he added. Having more amenities would also keep people here.
Improving health care was one priority Carty thought needed addressing. While Moose Jaw has a great hospital, more family doctors are required, especially with an aging population and the fact walk-in clinics now require appointments.
“At some point people are not going to be able to drive. We need a way for them to get (around town),” she continued. “And the city is expanding. We have people way on the outskirts that they can’t get to a doctor (or) they can’t get to a grocery store.
“… It (transit) is never going to make money; I get that. But it needs to have an assist.”
Reasons to leave
For most of Semans’ friends, they were born and raised here, but they aspire to pursue opportunities in bigger cities.
“… they have these picturesque dreams of what these big cities are going to be, and it’s kind of just thinking that they’ll have all the answers in the big cities,” she added.
Health care is important to Keck, especially since her husband had issues recently. They do not have a family doctor — they’re still relatively new to Moose Jaw — and were unable to find one, so they visited a rural physician for her husband’s diagnosis.
“If that’s showing up now and we have an aging population, it’s just going to get worse,” she said. “So I think that’s definitely something that needs to be addressed.”
Population increase
When asked whether Moose Jaw could lose its charm if it grew too big, Keck said Calgary has over one million people, so Moose Jaw could double in size and she wouldn’t leave. Also, as a business owner, “growth is great.”
Anderson — who lived in Calgary — said he likes Moose Jaw’s small-town, it is safe, and he can pop into downtown businesses to speak with owners. He noted that sustainable growth is needed to support services, otherwise, Moose Jaw could lose its “culture and flavour.”
Carty loved living in Tokyo — the world’s largest metropolitan city at 37.4 million people — but wants Moose Jaw to keep its small-town feel so her grandchildren feel safe. While big cities offer many new experiences, she thought doubling the community’s size might have drawbacks.
Fixing Moose Jaw
Carty wanted to see Main Street revitalized and become as busy as it was in the early 1900s.
Anderson wanted some of the community’s unique properties enhanced, another tourist destination location, and a bigger focus on heritage, which could attract millions of visitors and boost the tax base.
Keck wanted to see another brewery, while she also wanted to see Moose Jaw’s downtown revitalized. She thought the community could be like Banff, Alta., since it has many historic buildings and “so much untapped potential.”
Semans said if she could find a human rights law-related job here after university, she would return to live.
