The site for the town’s proposed skateboard park may be changing again.
On Tuesday night, Erin Mayor Rod Finnie confirmed the municipality is trying to find “an alternative” location for the park.
To date, a Hillsburgh park and Barbour Field (just south of that village) have been mentioned as possible locations for the project, which is expected to cost $85,000 to $100,000.
After a public meeting on the matter, council seemed set on building a skateboard park adjacent to the arena on the southwest side of Centre 2000. But several residents who live nearby have since expressed concern with that plan.
Dan and Deb Young, who live on Pine Street, told council on Tuesday night the proposed location means the park would be located less than 100 feet from their property.
“We feel the location that is presently chosen … would very significantly affect the value of our property,” Dan Young said.
He added the park would also be a detriment to their quality of life because it would be very noisy and maybe even contravene the town’s own noise bylaw.
“We are not opposed to having a skateboard park,” Dan stressed. But, he said, a much better location would be the land on the third base side of the ball diamond on the Centre 2000 property.
Councillor Ken Chapman said he visited the site that morning and the land Young was talking about – at the bottom of the hill directly behind the Legion – would likely work.
He explained the town’s recreation committee has no problem with changing the location. Such a move would likely require changing the skateboard park layout, but that wouldn’t be a big deal, Chapman added.
Councillor Barb Tocher agreed, as long as there are no structures in the skateboard park that would endanger tobogganers who use the hill in the winter.
Finnie said town officials are trying to find a different location and would keep the Youngs informed on any decision.
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A skateboard park has been discussed in the town for at least five years, but the idea was put on hold several times after early proponents left the town or gave up on the idea.
The park received perhaps its largest vote of confidence in February of 2009, when resident Mark Middleton presented council with a petition signed by 335 residents wanting action on a facility for local skateboarders and BMX riders.
Some of the funds for the park will be generated by volunteers, with council matching their donations, and it is hoped the rest will come from corporate sponsors.
