The DSBN is still looking to buy McMillan Park, so they can install a turf field for Thorold Secondary School (TSS).
That message was made loud and clear during Monday’s meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee.
“To make this happen the land must be sold to the DSBN,” TSS principal Janice Sargeant told committee members. “We need to own the land in order to build the field. The DSBN has the expertise and knowledge.”
Back in March, the school board sent another letter to City Hall inquiring about purchasing the lower half of McMillan Park.
“You want the space to be used, you want it to be accessible to many,” said Sargeant. “We are so close to the downtown and all of the great amenities it provides.”
Sargeant added that the sale of the land could provide the city with some much-needed cash flow.
Her presentation was met with enthusiasm from Councillors Ken Sentance and Mike De Divitiis, who both sit on the Parks and Trails Committee.
“I’m only one vote on council but I don’t really see this field anywhere else,” said Councillor Ken Sentance.
“You would think this would be a priority,” added Councillor De Divitiis.” I don’t understand why we are not doing this and jumping on this project.”
But City Hall is not eager to sell off the land, and they would prefer to install the turf field themselves. During Monday's meeting, they provided committee members with a list of nine parks in Thorold that are being considered as a location.
Ten criteria were used to quantify the viability of a turf field: land size, land ownership, accessibility, parking, environmental impact, impact on existing infrastructure, community Impact, future expansion, topography and drainage, service and utility connectability.
Based on those criteria, Hutt Park is a serious contender, although that location could pose a challenge since the surrounding neighbours are fiercely protective of the park.
“Once this field is put in, does that field become a gated field?” asked committee member Robert Merrill. “Then Hutt Park is no longer a community park, but a gated park that no one can use. We just lost the park when you put a fence around it.”
Rolling Meadows, on the other hand, received a lot more enthusiasm from committee members.
“I would really like to see the Rolling Meadows one,” said Councillor De Divitiis. “They really need one on that side of Thorold. Across Thorold High we should let the DSBN pay for that one and then we’ll get two fields in stead of one.”
“If this works out that way, I would like to see something on the other side of the tunnel,” added Councillor Sentance. “But Thorold High has got be done first in my opinion.”
A City Hall report on the matter will be presented to city council on May 28.
