Archive

Mono sets out recreation’s budget priorities

November 2, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By JAMES MATTHEWS, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Mono’s recreation department will have a three-fold focus in setting its capital budget for the next year.

Council got a first look during its Oct. 24 meeting at some of the wish list items from the department and users and sports groups in town. The department’s requests for 2024 total $353,230.

Kim Heaton, the recreation director, said the department will continue to focus on providing safe and enjoyable environments in Mono’s parks and trails.

“We do pride ourselves on the amount of inspections and the amount of maintenance we do on these amenities,” she said.

Mono’s parks provide space for residents to interact with each other and meet new people, she wrote in a report to council.

“Our parks are also prime locations for events and for people to engage in recreational activities,” she wrote. “Parks and trails offer opportunities for an active lifestyle and assist in combating challenges with obesity and mental health.”

There’s been a steady increase of users at local parks and on trails in recent years.

With this increase in use, Mono says it is dedicated and committed to investing in and maintaining parks and trails to the highest of standards, and offering safe and physical and sensory stimulating amenities is a priority.

Another budgetary focus will be to continue the conversion to green energy within the recreation department.

“Recognizing the importance of climate change challenges and the ever-increasing utility costs, the recreation department continues its efforts to reduce output in both these areas with our facilities and lands,” Heaton said.

The third prong of the 2024 budget focus is to be cognizant of aging infrastructure and the necessity to plan for future replacement.

“I’d like council to pay special attention to the fact that we do have some aging infrastructure that does need to be brought to your attention,” Heaton said.

Bradley Mayer-Harman stated the case in early October for the town to put some effort and attention into its Purple Hill Park. The 3.87 acres of grass at the park is underutilized, he said. Grass has started to grow up through the sandy area, and some residents have indicated concern that the structures may soon injure a child.

The park hasn’t seen significant attention since 2002, Mayer-Harman said.

In a letter to council, Mayer-Harman suggested residents would benefit through the installation of a concrete multi-sports pad that can be utilized in summer and winter.

“This pad would serve as a versatile space for various activities, including basketball, pickleball, ball hockey, lacrosse, cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, and more,” Mayer-Harman wrote in his letter.

Parents in the park’s vicinity have already taken it upon themselves in the winter to maintain an ice rink on the grassed portion of the park. The concrete pad would serve that effort.

Heaton told council that Mayer-Harman’s suggestions have piqued interest among Purple Hill neighbourhood residents. As such, it’s suggested council undertake a survey for ideas for the park from residents.

Some other priorities include pickleball courts and playground equipment for Mono College Park, the replacement of park furnishings and tennis court resurfacing at Mono Centre Park, and playgrounds for Madill Meadows and Fieldstone Parkette.

“A lot of echoes from your report last year are in [this year’s report],” Deputy Mayor Fred Nix said. “I think last year your total ask for capital was about $360,000, and we cut you down to about $105,000, which was quite a drastic cut.

“I apologize for that, but money doesn’t grow on trees, and we have to set the total budget.”

Readers Comments (0)