DIDSBURY - Council has instructed administration to bring back a number of information items regarding a proposal to create a public park on municipally-owned property near the Didsbury Museum.
Located at 2134 - 22 Street, the 3.17 acre property is the site of the former Didsbury High School.
A delegation made an appearance before council last month regarding the proposed park. Council revisited the matter during the Feb. 11 council meeting.
Kathleen Windsor, a proponent of keeping the property as a park, made the Jan. 28 presentation to council following public consultation through social media, personal visits and phone calls.
“What is paramount right now, and I can’t emphasis it enough, is council’s decision to leave the former high school land, also known as Moose Fence Park, as is, letting it become a truly special public space, a place people go to for that feeling of connection with their neighbours and the opportunities for adding to our community’s spirit,” said delegation member Kathleen Windsor.
Following Windsor’s presentation, council referred the matter to the Feb. 11 meeting.
At that meeting council carried a motion instructing administration to bring back information, including the memorandum of agreement between the Town of Didsbury and Chinook's Edge School Division regarding the property.
Council also want information on possible contamination at the site that may have occurred when it belonged to the school division.
Councillors also want information on possible alternative sites in the downtown core for a new public park, and detailed information on parks the town already has in its inventory.
“I think we should explore everything,” said mayor Rhonda Hunter.
During her Jan. 28 council appearance, Windsor presented letters of support for keeping the property as a public park from the Didsbury Museum, Westglen School, Ross Ford Elementary School and the Didsbury Municipal Library.
