Plans to expand the skate park at the Wellesley Community Centre to a multi-use sports pad drew criticism Monday night, as representatives of the Wellesley-North Easthope Agricultural Society and the Apple Butter & Cheese Festival voiced their concern to township councillors.
Speaking on behalf of the two groups, as well as the Wellesley Lions and the splash park committee, Peter Brennan told council that expanding the area beyond its original skate park use posed “inherent problems” for size and social reasons.
![Peter Brennan addresses Wellesley council Monday night.[Will Sloan / The Observer]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/post_sportspad.jpg)
“It was quite shocking to see the size of the current excavation for the multi-use sports pad,” said Brennan. “It is my understanding that this plan in support of that current excavation is not the plan that was circulated for comment by the various stakeholders.
“While I can say that we are in favour of a skateboard park, and helping find ways of meeting the needs of the other intended users of the multi-use sports pad, we are not necessarily in favour of one pad in a single location to meet all of these needs.”
Brennan predicted that a large sports facility side-by-side with the existing splash pad would pose problems “from a noise and cultural standpoint.” He also speculated that the disappearance of 30 parking spaces would further depress the already sluggish popularity of the Wellesley Community Centre as a rental venue.
“How attractive will it be as a rental site on nights the Applejacks are playing and filling the arena lot?” Brennan asked.
Brennan later cited the 1962 deed to the property, which entitled the Agricultural Society free use of the land at times mutually agreed upon between grantor (the society) and grantee (Wellesley). “I can assure you that no member of our fair board agrees that we will have free use of the land that we’ve donated to the town of Wellesley if this multi-use sports pad goes forward in the present location.”
Bob Reid, representing the ABC Festival, praised the success of the splash park, and warned councillors, “You’re just destroying that beautiful corner with what you’ve got proposed.”
He added, “We do need facilities for the young. … We need to give something for these kids to do. But I think we’ve got to take a step back and make sure we’re doing the right thing.”
It was also noted that basketball hoops are available at Wellesley Public School, and Brennan quipped that Canadian children don’t need to look far for a site to play ball hockey.
Brennan stressed that a motion to reconsider the decision should come after consultation with staff and stakeholders. “I can tell you that members of the groups I’m representing will dedicate time to assist staff in developing options,” he said.
Township staff hope to address concerns, and take suggestions, at an open house on November 27, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Wellesley Community Centre. The event will give staff opportunity to explain the history and rationale behind the location.
“We’d like the public and community groups to come and ask questions and give ideas,” said facilities director Brad Voisin. “This is yours. It’s not staff’s, it’s not council’s – it’s the community’s.”
Council also directed township staff to set up a meeting with the stakeholder after the open house to come to a mutually acceptable recommendation, to be voted on at a later date.
