As a senior taxpayer and music lover, the discussion about noise levels from concerts in the new event centre brings to mind the matter of intentional noise generation and resulting hearing loss. Concert noise regularly exceeds 105 decibels, at which sound exposure is safe for only about four minutes.
I have read that the roof of a new venue must allow for the suspension of the huge speakers used by modern concert musicians. Exposure to the sound they produce requires those attending to wear hearing protection to avoid permanent hearing loss.
Residents close to the event centre are annoyed by the sound levels, which can now go on until 10 p.m. Lowering the sound they are exposed to by changing the building design could cost an additional $7 million to $8 million more than currently budgeted. City council’s and administration’s solution is to tweak regulations to extend the time limit to midnight.
Am I alone in wondering why solving these problems involves financial sacrifices by taxpayers and local residents being told their annoyance must be tolerated so they can live in a “vibrant and high-energy neighbourhood”?
Speakers are designed with sound volume controls. Turn them down.
Gordon Goodfellow, Calgary
Conservative climate policies in crosshairs
Our hearts go out to the citizens of Jasper and the horrific destruction of their town, and the habitat and wildlife that surrounds this idyllic mountain community. This was a preventable tragedy.
We are suffering through record temperatures and wildfire destruction, impending drought and life-threatening air quality indexes, but both the Conservative provincial government and federal Opposition do not want to acknowledge the severity of climate change. They have given a free pass to the fossil fuel industry for decades and now we are paying the price.
The taxpayer will be footing the bill for billions of dollars to repair the destruction of our most precious areas. We don’t need more oil, gas or coal; we need these industries to pay for the havoc created.
Ian Wishart, Calgary
Politicians had duty to support Oilers
I admit, I am not a big hockey fan. I don’t watch any games and barely know any teams by name — though I do know the Flames and Oilers because I am a proud Albertan. At the end of the hockey season, if I hear the Flames are in the playoffs, of course I want them to win.
This year, Alberta had the chance to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada. This was as big as it gets for hockey fans across Canada.
Don Braid writes: “Premier pocketing of NHL playoff tickets too easily disregarded as social obligation.”
I disagree.
Our elected officials represent our province, and had the tickets been for just an ordinary game, I might agree. But these playoff games were not that.
At any important event, if Alberta is in the spotlight, those elected to represent Alberta should be there.
Dixie Watson, Calgary