Harbour Grace councillors discuss complaints about walking track

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Harbour Grace council is pondering ways to better accommodate all users of the walking track inside the Danny Cleary Community Centre following several complaints.

The issue arose at the March 3public meeting of council during councillor Brendan Chafe’s regular report on the activities and performance of the centre.

Chafe noted there have been issues with children running around the walking track, and that complaints tend to crop up when there are minor hockey tournaments at the centre.

Chafe, a coach and volunteer himself, explained players often like to warm up with sprints and other exercises outside the dressing rooms on the track prior to hitting the ice. He asked if a section of the walking track could be roped off during minor hockey tournaments so that the various users of the track don’t get in each other’s way.

“It is a public track,” said Chafe. “I’m not a fan of ‘no kids allowed.’”

Mayor Don Coombs pointed out that seniors and people with mobility issues also use the public track, so safety is important.

Chafe agreed, suggesting they rope off an area for the children, suggesting a space of some three feet wide by 20 feet long.

Mayor Coombs asked Town Manager Amy Dwyer to look into it. The issue will be discussed further at another meeting.

Councillor Lee Rogers reiterated Chafe’s statement that the walking track is public.

“To be quite blunt, there’s no need for ignorance towards the kids who are up there walking,” said Rogers. He added that, a couple of weeks back, someone using the track was rude to two young girls who were walking there, telling them to get out of his way.

“It is a public walking track. Kids are walking. It is what it is,” said Rogers.