The scribbler pitched horseshoes for the first time last month.
A friend had a barbecue party, and the pitchers were doing their thing while I munched on a burger and watched in awe. For my pals, there was no horsing around, pardon the awful pun. These folks played with cool determination to nab their ringers, or at least the things they call leaners.
I learned a lot that day. Horseshoes is serious business, and particularly so for local club members down by the pits on 51 Avenue.
They are not happy campers these days. The town's selected site for the ambitious new skatepark beside the horseshoe pits has members crying foul, that its close proximity will threaten their beloved sport and facility, which has been at the site for 32 years. Additionally, members are claiming the town never consulted them before making its location choice for the new skatepark, a project the club fully supports for the community – but not in their backyard.
Members met privately with Mayor Brian Spiller last week to voice their concerns, and they will do another non-public pitch to the full council on Sept. 19. Most of all, they want to be heard. They have been good tenants for more than three decades, and they deserve a full audience.
However, it would be unfair to think the town was mischievously trying to slip one by.
During the Aug. 22 regular council meeting when the site selection for the new skatepark was presented by administration, Helen Dietz, the town's chief administrative officer, said publicly the town would send written notice to groups that may be impacted by the chosen skatepark location, and that includes the Chinook's Edge School Division, the Innisfail and District Historical Village and the horseshoe club. And last week Spiller did concede the town's chosen site was not “written in stone.”
Community leaders have certainly learned something from the controversy two years ago when they wanted to move the community dump beside the Westwood Court Mobile Home Park. Yes, citizens want their civic leaders, especially their elected ones, to consult them on issues that will impact their lives, and their passions. The letters town staff sent out is a good first step, but more is needed.
The skatepark project is too important to the community to not do all the due diligence. The horseshoe club, strong advocates for a new skatepark facility, want to see it built on the current 50 Street site. Some citizens think Centennial Park would be better. There may be others who have other site ideas.
In the meantime, the town is hosting its second skatepark open house on Sept. 15 at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre. This meeting is driven by the two concept designs that were publicly released Aug. 22. The skateboarders and BMX riders will have plenty to say about them, as they should because they are the experts.
But site location? This goes beyond just those cool dudes with attitudes. Have another open house for this question.
The community at large deserves to have its own big pitch.
