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Spaniard’s Bay council cries foul on some activity at basketball court

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Spaniard’s Bay councillors are unsure whether to proceed with a proposal to build a new basketball court near Tilton, given a history of occasional bad behaviour at the facility.

The court would replace the old one and be built on the same location. Council received both letters of support and opposition regarding the potential development.

The spot in question has often been left littered with garbage or been a prime place for people to set fires. 

According to Mayor Paul Brazil, some locals have already gone into the area with rakes and shovels and cleaned it to the best of their abilities, but the cleanup has attracted some “unwanted visitors.” 

Councillor Paul Ryan pointed out that said “visitors” have likely always been there. Ryan noted that in the meantime there is a recreation centre in Spaniard’s Bay, which was recently renovated, which is just as convenient for people in Tilton to use. “I figure they can travel the same distance just like everyone else,” said Ryan. 

Money is also an issue as the current budget does not allow for such a project, which Mayor Brazil said could run the Town up to $25,000. He suggested the money it would cost to build a new basketball court could potentially be better spent on something else, such as updating the Tilton playground or perhaps even incorporating a basketball court into the playground area.

Councillor Darlene Stamp suggested that, rather than agreeing or accepting the proposal right away, council could use further clean up the path that leads to the area. She said this would make the area cleaner and more accessible, and it could be monitored over the summer to see if people are making use of the area or if there are any complaints about people causing trouble there. Stamp said council could then revisit the issue later to decide what to do, using any feedback received during that time to help make their choice. 

Stamp added council has “got to start listening and doing stuff in Tilton also,” as that area does not have as many amenities as Spaniard’s Bay. 

Stamp then restated her argument as a motion, moving that the Town clean up the entrance to the area, monitor it over the summer, and revisit the topic prior to the next budget to decide what to do. 

The motion passed with only councillor Ryan voting against it.

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