New City Centre Plan?

Churches and other religious institutions weren't considered in the plans for the new city centre because they 'don't contribute financially' to the city? Seriously? That's just dollars gone crazy. Especially when we're talking about places like Mustard Seed, Inn From The Cold and Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS)

All churches, of whatever religion, provide far more than simply a place to gather in worship. they provide community, social and recreational events and services, and foster a sense of community. And they do so for everyone whether they are members of their religious community or not. And that sense of community is something sadly lacking in many parts of life today.

Or, lets talk dollars. How much would it cost the city to pay for all the services currently provided by people like CUPS? Pretty sure the city wouldn't want to foot the bill. Yet without places like Mustard Seed many of those already disadvantaged and suffering would find lives that are difficult becoming impossible.

Seems almost as if those creating the new city centre plan are deliberately trying to marginalize those already suffering and force them elsewhere. Trying to pretend that the city doesn't have a problem with homelessness or poverty and doesn't have a need for organizations like Inn From The Cold.

Where are they supposed to go, all these non profitable religious institutions? Let me guess, anywhere but here? Go wherever you like as long as you're not our problem any more? That's how it appears.

Any plan for a revitalized city centre must include at least all those religious institutions already there. Saying they don't contribute financially is saying that the only thing in this world that matters is dollars and cents. And not people. They benefit the city and all the people in it in myriad ways, ways that cannot be measured in dollars - unless you want to figure out what replacing them and everything they do would cost the city.

Either count them in, or fix all the social ills of the city so that they are no longer needed for anything other than religious services and events and can move elsewhere with a clear conscience and leaving the huge gaping hole that their disappearance would currently create. Count them in and let them continue to provide all the good that they bring to the city. Calgary needs more caring, compassion and community, not less.
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So apparently I'm not alone, found this today -
Op Ed in the Herald;