Recreation committee has plans for July 1, future

It all comes down to money.

When councillors here considered the minutes from the township’s parks, culture and recreation committee on March 13, the report elicited a couple of questions about cash.

Public works director Larry Lynch reported to the committee what he has recommended for this year’s township budget. That includes a new floor for the PMD Arena auditorium, board replacement around the ice surface, and roofing work that was not done last year.

As well, Lynch told the committee the ring road at the front of the arena could be left for 2013, and be done with the repaving of the parking lot.

As for parks, Lynch told the committee as a result of a  report by Cowan Insurance, parks staff have removed the wooden structure playground equipment at all parks.

Lynch said Cowan recommended changes at all township parks, except for the relatively new Wallace Cumming Park in Alma and the ABC Park in Drayton.

In all the other parks, the equipment is obsolete. That includes “a large part” of the Kinsmen Play Park in Drayton.

Lynch told the committee he was working on private partnerships, for equipment and everything that could be fixed. The committee noted Lynch had budgeted $50,000 for the next five years to upgrade the Moorefield Park and the Kinsmen Play Park in Drayton.

Councillor Andy Knetsch asked Lynch if $50,000 over the next five years will be enough money to do all the work needed.

Lynch said he has not yet got estimates on all the work, but suggested, “I could spend all kinds of money.”

He also reiterated for council that he is working on partnerships for parks projects.