Council here declined to again revisit the selection of a location for a proposed skate park in Drayton.
Council decided on Feb. 10 to receive for information a presentation by a delegation of residents who live near the designated Kinsmen Park location. The delegation presented a petition signed by 36 residents opposing the site.
Spokesperson Andy Knetsch told council the group, many of whose members were among 17 who signed an earlier petition opposing the location, came before council because “the previous council chose to ignore their valid concerns.
“We believe the entire community should be invited to participate in the process,” said Knetsch, adding the delegation contacted other municipalities to obtain information on “what does it take to create a successful park and what are the pitfalls?”
Knetsch told council “all the municipalities contacted were unanimous that the key component is location, location, location.”
The group was also advised that “seclusion in relation to this type of facility has the potential to become problematic,” he added, citing a litany of concerns that included: graffiti, safety, vandalism, drug use and liability issues.
Knetsch stressed the group opposing the location is not “anti-youth,” as “most of us are parents and we know that a facility such as this provides a positive opportunity for youth to interact with each other.”
He said the group was supportive of a skateboarding facility, “but not at Kinsmen Park.
“What is critical is public or community input, as well that the location is visible, open and not secluded,” said Knetsch, adding the group wants council to “reverse the decision made by the previous council and adopt a strategy that is more inclusive of public input.”
Knetsch was a member of the previous council but declared a conflict of interest through most of the site selection process due to the proximity of his home to Kinsmen Park.
Councillor Marlene Ottens said some of the group’s objections seem contradictory.
“You’re saying it’s isolated … yet at the same time you’re saying it’s too close to the neighbours … that it’s going to be noisy and loud.”
“You’re right, there are homes that are in proximity, however the sightlines are obstructed,” Knetsch replied.
Ottens asked what the group would consider a better location for the facility.
“No matter what location is decided upon, I think its really important people within that immediate area are on board with it. Is it fair to put one in regardless of how the people feel?” Knetsch responded.
Councillor Michael Martin pointed out the Kinsmen Park is in a “recreational” part of town.
“I fully appreciate your concern and the concern of the rest of homeowners in the area … it’s going to up the amount of people and the amount of traffic in the area,” Martin said.
However, he also pointed out the Kinsmen Park location scored highest among the seven sites that were considered by the skate park committee and the previous council.
Martin, who pointed out a public meeting was held on the proposed facility in April of 2014, asked, “how many more public meetings would it take in your opinion to gather the amount of input,” necessary?
Before Knetsch could respond, Mayor Neil Driscoll halted the debate.
“Yes there was a public meeting on April 10 and I did attend, and I was the only councillor of the day that did attend,” Driscoll pointed out, adding the meeting was “put together by the skate park committee.
“Not to take your feet out from under you, but it’s kind of a loaded question to ask the delegation … I don’t think that’s going to lead us to a solution at all,” said Driscoll.
Later in the meeting council voted in favour of a resolution to accept the delegation’s presentation for information.
After the meeting, Driscoll told the Community News he elected to halt the discussion to avoid “getting into going back and forth with a delegation.”
Offered an opportunity by a reporter to answer Martin’s question, Knetsch declined.
