If last week’s council meeting is any indication, there seems to be renewed local interest in a skateboard park for Erin youths.
On Feb. 17, Mark Middleton presented council with a petition signed by 335 residents wanting action on a facility that could be used by local skateboarders and BMX riders.
“We have an obligation to the youths in this community to get such a facility,” Middleton said, noting that Orangeville, Guelph and Acton have all supplied similar parks. “Not all youths play soccer, hockey, or baseball.”
He said over half of the residents who signed the petition actually thought the town had already approved a skateboard park, when that is clearly not the case.
There were two efforts in previous years to build a park, the latest occurring about three years ago. But those efforts were led by students, which is why they eventually fell apart, said councillor Ken Chapman.
“There has been very little adult participation in this process in the past,” Chapman said.
It is nothing against students, councillor Barb Tocher stressed; it is just that adults remain in town longer and historically, parents are the ones who have taken up the cause of bringing recreational facilities to town.
“It’s nice to see an adult come forward,” Tocher said.
Mayor Rod Finnie said the town would help with partnerships, including any possible grants.
“I always like to pick someone else’s pockets, as well as the taxpayers’,” Finnie said. But, citing the town’s recent unsuccessful Building Canada Fund application, he noted funding is never guaranteed.
Middleton told council he is not going anywhere, and the demand for a skateboard and BMX facility will only increase. “To me, this is something that’s not going away,” he said, noting BMX is now an official Olympic event.
Councillor John Brennan commended Middleton for taking up the cause and said he hopes the parents whose names are on the petition are willing to do more than just provide a signature.
There was some discussion about whether Nestle Waters Canada would still be willing to contribute the $20,000 it had committed the last time someone had proposed a skateboard park.
Finnie said he thinks the town could get that money, but again stressed that a strong community group has to lead the project, regardless of funding scenarios.
Also at the meeting, two youths presented council with a petition signed by high school students.
