Repairing the cracks at the city’s skate park
City councillors consider $150K plan for repairs in 2020
The West 49 Skateboard Park at Bonnerworth Park near Monaghan Rd. and Parkhill Rd. is likely to get $150,000 in repairs in 2020.
On Monday, city council will vote a final time to go forward with the repairs. Councillors already gave preliminary approval to the plan in February.
The park, which was built in 2001, generally attracts 20 to 30 users at a time during milder weather, but there are no detailed usage statistics in a city staff report.
The concrete structure required $5,000 in repairs in 2015 after significant cracks developed. Further repairs will be needed by 2020, although staff have said the park will be open for use in the meantime.
The staff report states the city will be able to offer sponsorships and naming rights for the park, when the repairs are done in
2020.
After the city spent $288,900 on the first phase of the project, skateboard apparel company West 49 paid $85,000 toward its second phase in 2001, giving it its name. The staff report states there is no agreement on file defining the length of time the naming rights would be in effect.
Ken Doherty, the city’s community services director, told councillors in February that
West 49 will indeed be given first right of refusal in any naming
opportunity.
Also on councillors’ agenda on Monday:
Crossing guards
Council will vote a final time on a plan to add a crossing guard during arrival and dismissal times at Goodfellow Rd. and St. Mary’s St.
The $9,800 annual cost will come from the general contingency budget, with new signage costing $60.
Parents and school officials in the area had asked the city to review the safety situation at the intersection.
The new guard at Goodfellow/ St. Mary’s should be in place by May.
A crossing guard will also be
added at the intersection of Kawartha Heights Blvd. and Denure Dr., at a cost of $9,800 plus $4,000 in signage, markings and sidewalk ramps.
City staff reviewed the area and determined there was a need for a guard. That guard will be in place by June (as long as council ratifies the plan on Monday).
Community project grants/Community investment grants:
Council will vote a final time on Monday to approve $14,950 in grants to local groups in 2018 — thousands of dollars less than the amount set aside for the program in this year’s budget.
The 2018 budget includes an allocation of $21,000 for the Community Projects Grants program, but a staff report states that there were fewer applicants this year – and also that the some the applications were poor in quality.
The grants, for non-profits and charities, will be awarded to groups that apply and agree to take part in a workshop.
Council will also vote a final time on Monday to approve $208,766 in Community Investment Grants. That’s the full amount allocated in the 2018 budget.
The council meeting begins Monday at 5:30 p.m.
NOTE: See more city council coverage on Pages A1 and A2.