It was inevitable.
Once councillors here agreed to allow skate park proponents to build over the Erin ball diamonds, opponents chose to make their opinions known.
In a recent report to council, parks and recreation manager Graham Smith said Erin Mixed 3-Pitch has expressed displeasure at the move – as have the principal and gym teachers at Erin District High School.
“They just can’t understand why the decision was made,” Smith said.
He added the skate park group did make a presentation to the Centre 2000 management committee. He said his response was he does not make the decisions, but he does have to abide by them.
Smith said there were questions raised about how parking will being addressed at the same time.
He did, however, note Erin Mixed 3-Pitch has been accommodated at Barbour Field on Thursday nights for the same rates the eight teams would have paid in Erin. He said there are no issues with Erin minor ball.
Mayor Lou Maieron said the concern brought to him was that this particular ball diamond is the work of community groups and volunteers who donated time and resources to make it happen.
Smith agreed at one point there were a number of ball leagues in Erin, but the Mixed 3-Pitch is the only remaining group.
Councillor Barb Tocher said even though that may be the case – whether it is parks or recreational facilities – it still is the municipality that is owner and keeper of those facilities.
“We need to use the facilities to their best – at the day that we are at,” Tocher said. She added there are upswings in certain Sports and downswings in others – there always will be.
Smith agreed the move will make better use of other facilities in the community. However, the diamond at Centre 2000 had been the only remaining ball diamond in Erin village.
Smith wondered about the timing for the skate park construction. Town manager Lisa Hass suspected work might begin in June.
Smith again expressed hope more effort would be taken to deal with parking at Centre 2000.
