Fences in Fields

A few issues have jumped out at people during the budget deliberations. One was the proposed new baseball field, another an additional librarian and third, the matter of a fence in a park. Once it was established the high cost of the baseball field was the result of specific direction, on a resolution by Councillors MacEachern and Granger, the scramble was on to calm public indignation and garner support for a new field at less cost

Council received a letter from Ron Weese, beneficiary of the Soccer Bubble, the artificial turf and head of the Sport Council formed immediately before and for the purpose of the election. The Sports Council supports the new baseball facility.Two years late,I'd say.

The librarian needed to provide and maintain current level of service to a larger population has been hung out in cold, like a Victorian orphan and child of an unmarried mother. Two thirds of Aurorans use the library. They are obviously not organized to make themselves heard In a Town study a couple of years ago. it was determined the library was the most appreciated Town service.

The third item that caught public attention is relatively minor and likely to go by the board.

Fences in parks are not unusual. The Town Park has a fence around the baseball field.At one time a white picket fence surrounded the park. It was removed for the Horse Show and replaced after. One year we decided the park was nicer without it. The fence was left off and later, after the Horse Show transferred ,a chain link fence enclosed the ball diamond.

Lambert Wilson Park has a fence around sports field. Sheppard's Bush also has one around the artificial turf. In Confederation Park a soccer field, half on school property and half in the park is enclosed by a fence. The Separate School Board spent $110.thousand to construct the soccer field. They requested the fence to protect their investment. Council agreed.

During consideration the parks budget, fences in the park suddenly became a horrible idea to this council. Without further ado or explanation, the item was moved below the line. It's a monopoly-like game we play when we pore over budget figures.

In the eighties, the province crunched down on school board spending. In turn, Boards reduced outside facilities. They bought less land than they needed. Why not when they had easy access to town parks. Confederation, in my own neighborhood, is a shameful example of how a park has been whittled away to provide teachers' parking, school bus turn-arounds and sports fields with fences.

Generally school boards spend minimally on playgrounds and sports fields, none at all on maintenance and the result is a complete waste of money. Within a year, the fields are totally degraded

Day after day, pounding by students and teachers alike, who take over town sports fields without permits and without regard for weather and the abuse renders a town field representing a substantial town investment in construction and maintenance , as useless as the board's own.

Fences are a means of control, a solution to the problem and needed to protect the quality of the field and the financial investment of the municipality.

On August 12th, 2008 ,Council approved construction of a soccer field in Norm Weller Park which included perimeter fencing. Construction of the soccer field is underway. Cost of that fence grabbed council's attention during budget discussion. Mayor Morris has referred to “fences to save parks from the public ” thereby confirming the public erroneous impression the plan is to fence off the parks so the public can't use them. How ridiculous is that? The item has been deleted or “moved below the line”. At this point in the game, I am no longer sure which.