We can mitigate the effect of Ajax NOT coming to a neighbourhood near us any time soon.

Kamloops citizens can generate as much economic benefit to the local economy by opening our doors to the masses leaving large cities such as Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

Recent demographic data shows a shift of retirees from larger centres to smaller cities such as Nanaimo, Red Deer and Saskatoon.

In B.C., the redistribution of seniors is taking place in the Kootenays, the Okanagan (as far north as Kamloops) and along the B.C.-Yukon border.

Given that the average retiree generates an annual income of about half that of a miner — all we need to do is attract 800 seniors to Kamloops to make up for the loss of Ajax. The economic spinoff will probably be greater when families visit Kamloops in summer (for our warm weather) and in winter (for some of the best skiing in the world).

That way we can still all enjoy the air we breathe, the water we drink, the grasslands we hike and the gardens we grow.

Let’s get the word out now, Kamloops is on sale — two for one.

One hopeful retiree,

CLAUDETTE KELLY

Kamloops