It would appear that few are completely happy
over city council's decision to go ahead with a more costly but
less satisfactory skateboard park on the Carmichael Arena
property on Bancroft Drive. Council is unhappy the park is to
be constructed quite a bit above the cost of the original
estimates.
Serious boarders and bikers are certainly not
pleased that the park will be less than hoped for.
It is unfortunate those involved were not
prepared to delay the building of the facility until adequate
funding for a park as originally envisaged was in place, and
the park constructed in a more satisfactory location such as
the former gravel pit property on Second Ave., which would also
allow for eventual expansion, greater room for spectators and
adequate parking, all liabilities at the Carmichael site.
Our city could have taken a lesson from Sault
Ste Marie which put up a temporary park until it had sufficient
funds to build a first-class facility.
The Carmichael site does deserve a small
skateboard park to serve the Minnow Lake area, with a couple of
ramps, rails and stairs, and could be combined with new
playground equipment.
Also, what could be considered as a temporary
solution or possible permanent facility is an indoor skateboard
park at the former Barrydowne Arena. Like the well used indoor
facility in Capreol, it could be used by skateboarders in the
central area of the city in all types of weather and in the
evening hours as well.
I fully realize the frustration of many
boarders and bikers who have been waiting so long for a
first-class facility. However, what is to be built now will be,
in their own words "just adequate." I think they and the City
of Greater Sudbury deserve better.
John Lindsay
Greater Sudbury
Editor's note: John Lindsay is co-chair of the Minnow Lake
Community Action Network.