Officials have decided to stick with the location originally proposed for the town’s new skateboard park at Centre 2000.
At public meetings and during election debates, several residents objected to the location – southwest of the ice resurfacer door on the arena – because of concerns about noise due to the site’s proximity to nearby homes, particularly on Pine Street.
However, councillors and members of the town’s recreation and culture committee committed to taking steps to mitigate the effects on neighbours, including the possibility of planting trees and an off-the-cuff remark from councillor Barb Tocher about a rock climbing wall.
Last week, members of the recreation and culture committee told council they preferred the original site over the other possibility: an awkwardly-shaped piece of land in front of the arena parking lot and northeast of the ball diamond.
Mayor Lou Maieron said locating the skateboard park at the original location would be a good use of that land, although he acknowledged steps must be taken to minimize the impact on local residents.
Maieron suggested the committee approach the school for fundraising help and councillor Josie Wintersinger suggested the Erin BIA should be approached for help as well.
Committee member Mary-Kay Amos said the fundraising goal stands at about $50,000 or about half of the total project cost. She told council the committee has come up with a website – www.erinskatepark.ca (not functional yet) – to help raise money.
Amos asked council for permission to use the town logo and also for assistance in issuing a charitable tax receipt to those who donate a certain amount of money to the park.
Last week council unanimously passed a resolution approving the committee’s request to proceed with fundraising efforts.
And on Tuesday night, council formally approved the original site.
