Council likes look of $12.6 million Paradise Park redesign

By Mark Squibb

Paradise council has approved a $12.6 million redesign of Paradise Park that will include a skating loop valued at roughly $4 million.

Mills & Wright Landscape Architecture was awarded the redesign back in 2023 and asked to create a plan through consultation with staff and residents that reflected what the community wants.

After Mills & Wright presented a draft concept plan to the recreation committee in September, it requested a redesign that would incorporate a skating loop.

The consultants recommended against the addition of the skating loop, citing the nearness of the Double Ice Complex and nearby skating loops in other communities. Nevertheless, on November 25, the designers presented the committee with two new concept plans, one without a skating loop and one with a skating loop, priced at $8.6 million and $12.6 million respectively.

Additionally, berms would have to be formed during construction of the skating loop, which would result in the loss of two of four temporary minor baseball fields.

The skating loop would also require an onsite maintenance shed and Zamboni staff.

Councillor Patrick Martin moved that council accept the more expensive design.

Councillor Glen Carew said the cheaper option had two major flaws — the lack of a of a skating loop, which was the number one request of residents who participated in consultation sessions and surveys; and a reconfigured layout that would, rather than address safety concerns raised by residents about the closeness of the parking lot and splash pad, exacerbate the problem.

“With community input the recreation committee has taken careful time and consideration and are recommending option two,” said Carew. “There was meaningful discussion about potentially displacing two of those minor baseball fields, which, outside the cost of the project, is the only detractor of option two.”

Carew said the plan will not be fully realized for another 10 to 15 years and is also dependent on input from future councils. He added this gives council plenty of time to find a new home for the temporary ballfields once the time comes.

“This concept plan reflects what our residents have asked for,” summarized Carew.

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street, likewise, said she believed concept two to be more in line with what residents had been asking for, and was glad to support it.

“We have a large number of young families, who really enjoy outdoor activities,” said Street. “The amenities we have chosen certainly support this, and Mills & Wright did a great job identifying placement of all the amenities. There was a good discussion at committee regarding the skating loop. I felt the town has the population and enough future growth to support it. The Mills & Wright survey identified that a skating loop was at the top of amenities requested. I know this will mean that temporary ballfields will have to be relocated. I’m sure when this happens, the council of the day will make sure there is a home for these ballfields.”

Councillors Deborah Quilty and Tommy Maher echoed those sentiments, with Maher adding the skating loop could be used as a bike loop during the summer months.

Councillor Martin, who had previously expressed concern about the additional costs associated with the skating loop, reiterated those concerns.

Martin also expressed concerns about the removal of the two temporary fields.

“I know it’s not any time down the road, but I just want to acknowledge that we have 200 kids currently playing on those fields — Under 5, Under 7, and Under 9,” said Martin. “The temporary fields are used from June 20 until the end of September. And I would never want to see baseball displaced. So, I’m going to support plan number two, with a skating loop, but as long as I am on council I will not support a skating loop being built until we are sure that the kids from baseball are looked after.”

The plan also includes an updated dog park, new playground, picnic area, skate park and sensory trail. Sensory trails have proven especially beneficial and soothing to children and adults with autism. There is no funding allocated for the project as of yet.