Martin worried about plans for skating loop at Paradise Park
By Mark Squibb
The Town of Paradise is considering the idea of adding a skating loop to Paradise Park.
Staff are currently working on a redesign of Paradise Park, and council earlier this month agreed to pay for additional design work to incorporate a skating loop in the new design.
Councillor Partick Martin explained a draft master plan was presented to the recreation committee on October 7 and that the committee requested design changes, including the addition of the skating loop.
“Most changes were straightforward, but the request to include a skating loop would require a significant redesign,” said Martin. “To incorporate a skating loop into the Paradise Park Master Plan will be an addition of $3,760 plus HST for redesign work.”
An e-mail poll of council was held on October 23, and council voted unanimously to give Mills & Wright the green light to proceed with the redesign. The poll generated three questions, which were not shared publicly. Council unanimously ratified the motion during its November 5 public meeting.
Despite voting in favour of the motion, Martin admitted he had some concerns with the redesign.
“Most of the layout had been decided by council from what was brought in from the general public, and so we had a design all ready to go,” said Martin. “We met with the consultants and the consultants recommended that we do not add a skating loop to the design, considering we have two ice surfaces right next door (at the Double Ice Complex) and there are skating loops in the general area. I’m a little bit concerned because the associated costs with this skating loop, if we agree to put it in the plan, are quite high. It could cost up to $4 million dollars, and we have a lot of needs in the town right now. I’m worried if we readjust the plan because we had a great layout already designed, and I’m worried about what we’re going to lose in the area. So, I’m looking forward to seeing the next set of plans. They’re going to go through committee, and we’re going to look at both sets of plans and make a decision from there. But I am a little bit worried because it is a costly venture.”
The redesign of Paradise Park is to be based on input from both town staff and the community.