Proponents are hoping council will reconsider the location of a proposed skate park.
While committee members agree it remains a council decision, they hoped council would look at the pros and cons outlined in a recent skate park location analysis.
Recreation chairman Bill Dinwoody and committee member Miki Ackerman were a council March 6 to review that analysis. Both noted that over the past two years, several locations were reviewed.
“At some point you’re going to have to make a decision,” Dinwoody said. The report outlined details on the old volleyball field near the arena and the ball diamond.
He hoped council would approve the hiring of Triton Engineering to investigate both and provide specifications for the skate park cement pad.
He cited potential costs for a septic system that would have to be dug near the end of the arena, estimated at $10,000. That might not happen if one of the other locations is picked.
He also met with Wellington County OPP Constable Mark Cloes, who recommended skate parks should be highly visible and in areas where there is constant public activity. In his opinion, the old volleyball court location is too isolated, and a sound barrier would create further seclusion.
The ball park spot is considered a better site since it is out in the open and visible to police.
As for the issue of graffiti, Dinwoody said there is a chemical available that could be painted or sprayed on walls and allow them to be washed off.
It was hoped that by April, the committee could have cost comparable estimates for both sites.
The committee hoped council would be able to make a decision on April 3.
“It is the committee’s fervent belief that the skate park needs to be built this year given the strong community interest and fundraising efforts that require the project to come to fruition,” said Dinwoody.
When asked what the cost might be, town manager Lisa Hass suggested it is not substantial.
Mayor Lou Maieron asked what Triton would be examining.
Dinwoody said the volleyball field located next to the ball diamond at Centre 2000.
The proposal over the ball diamond would involve a strip of land from home plate to right field, about 60 by 100 feet. He said the proposal is not seeking to use the entire ball diamond and it would allow the remainder of the property to be otherwise used.
Maieron said the skateboard group “already has a bird in hand,” in that council had already agreed to the volleyball field site. To get to that point meetings were held, residents voiced numerous concerns, and those concerns were resolved, he said.
He agreed there may be issues with the site. But, in consideration of the more recent suggestion of the ball diamond site, Maieron said, “You do want to get going this year? It will be public that you are now looking at this other site.”
Maieron said he understood the OPP opinions on the issue, and he was the one who had requested those comments.
“I don’t want to see the project delayed because a number of new concerns come up.”
He said that would have to be weighed as council decides.
Dinwoody said the concern is if the skate park site is secluded, it will not be as visible to the police. He asked what would happen to the site that is approved.
Maieron said when the time comes as Erin’s population grows, there could be considerable housing growth in that area. “The need for recreation facilities at this site will be even greater,” said Maieron.
Dinwoody said the ball diamonds now are only being used three hours a week.
Maieron said once there’s a suggestion of removing the diamond, those individuals who use it are likely to come forward.
Ackerman said one of the reasons the issue was brought forward “is that any decision made will be a long-term, permanent decision. Let’s make an informed educated decision we can all live with.”
Councillor Barb Tocher asked for a site plan to better visualize the impact.
Council approved having Triton investigate both sites for a skate park cement pad.
