The city now wants your feedback on turning the former Dease pool site into a skateboard park.
Council Monday voted in favour of proceeding with administration’s recommendation to examine the logistics of turning the space into a similar set-up to Marina Park.
Staff indicated that a budget of $253,000 is available to undertake the work, which could start this summer should a final decision come late next month.
McKellar Ward councillor Brian Hamilton told council he’s talked with youth himself and is confident that this is what they are looking for.
“I had a look at a lengthy report out of Kingston, which looked at skate parks,” Hamilton added. “When researchers talked to the user groups they found overwhelming that the kids don’t like the accessory parks they want fixed parks, the ones with smooth concrete. I’m not interested in constructing a mediocre park, I feel Thunder Bay kids want a professional park.”
The councillor also had an idea for his fellow elected officials to look at fundraising opportunities to help cover the remaining cost of the plan.
“I don’t think it would be unheard of for the community to come up with potentially $50,000, $75,000 or $100,000 to pitch in, in fact if you look at other communities that’s how these things get done,” Hamilton notes. “This does not need to be fully covered by the city, this could very much be an opportunity to build a community collation and move forward on a community fundraising effort.”
Other ideas for the site included tennis and/or pickleball, or fruit trees and family area.
