The survey results are in but the jury is still out on deciding where to locate a skate park in the Town of St. Paul.
A total of 217 people responded to an online survey suggesting potential locations for the skate park, with the majority of respondents, at 70 per cent, identifying as being from the Town of St. Paul.
Parks and Recreation director Lyle Hannan said that the survey got some good preliminary feedback, and some “diverse and diametrically opposed attitudes” about some of the locations. For instance, 76 responses indicated people were “greatly opposed” to the location at Lagasse Park, 33 saying it was not ideal but they could live with it, while another 101 liked this area or thought it was the ideal location for the skatepark.
Of the Overnight Trailer Park, 59 were greatly opposed to this location, while 84 liked the location or said it was an ideal location.
Of the RCMP park, 67 responses indicated they were greatly opposed to the location, while 58 liked the location and 16 others thought it was an ideal location.
Of the location by the Fishing Point/Iron Horse Trail, 59 said they were greatly opposed to the location, while 62 liked this option, and another 34 thought it was ideal.
Coun. Norm Noel brought up the skatepark survey at the May 23 regular town council meeting, saying he wanted to make a general apology if the inclusion of Racette School as a possible location offended anyone. While St. Paul Education Regional Division had stated that Racette School is not an option, the area was mistakenly included, with there being some confusion between the skateboard association and recreation about it, Noel said.
However, 91 responses indicated that people were greatly opposed to the location at Racette School, while 35 respondents liked the location and with only 16 describing it as the ideal location.
Another potential site that came up as the recreation board discussed the issue is north of the town’s Bottle Depot, on 53 Ave. at 42 Street, said Noel.
Following the council meeting, Hannan said, “Given the lack of clear community opinion on the matter, I’m suggesting that the Skate Park Committee, council and parks and rec board all meet together,” adding that a meeting date, as of last Thursday, had yet to be decided.
