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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 13, 2006 - 5 Skaters getting the boot from ponds By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Ice skaters will no longer be welcome on Memorial Park's pond, or on Bayshire pond at the Parkway. Despite allowing skating on those two ponds in recent years, the town has decided to impose a blanket ban on recreational use of stormwater management ponds. Town councillors agreed to the ban at Wednesday night's Community Services committee meeting, after hearing about safety and liability concerns from town staff. "These ponds are subject to changes that wouldn't occur in a natural setting," explained Dave Bloomer, acting town commissioner. A staff report explains that water continues to flow into stormwater ponds throughout the winter. The runoff, which results from snow melting and road clearing, often contains high concentrations of road salt or warm water, which can cause thin or dangerous ice conditions. The town already pro- hibits fishing, boating, swimming or other summer uses of the ponds, said Bloomer. "We want to send a message out here as clearly as we can that stormwater management ponds are for stormwater management purposes, not recreational purposes," he added. Signs will be installed to warn residents that skating isn't allowed, and the change in policy will also be advertised in local newspapers, distributed to local residents associations and enforced by town staff. Councillors received legal advice suggesting that this would help minimize the town's legal liability, in the case of an accident or fatality on the ponds. But Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll expects that some residents will use the ponds for skating despite the ban, and worries that those people will be in increased danger because town staff will no longer monitor the ice or warn of poor skating conditions. "I'm not convinced that we are really going to improve community safety this way," he said. "My fundamental concern is that people love this facililiability cases involvty and they're going to ing skating on use it whether or not stormwater managewe tell them they ment ponds, she said can't." case law clearly indiKnoll suggested cates a municipality's either limiting skatresponsibility to ing to areas of the maintain skating surMemorial Park pond faces in a safe fashion, where risk was conwhich is difficult on sidered lowest, or stormwater manageposting signs warnment ponds. ing skaters to use Although Knoll the ice at their own wasn't able to conrisk. vince his council colCouncillor Jeff Knoll But assistant town leagues to allow skatsolicitor Denise Baker said that ing to continue in Memorial Park, many court cases, including a recent he was successful in convincing one involving tobogganing, have them to give "special considerashown that such signs don't neces- tion" to Wards 5 and 6 (north-censarily mitigate a municipality's legal tral and north-east Oakville) for liability. placement of a future portable outAlthough she isn't aware of any door artificial ice rink. Town staff has suggested Glenashton Park, Coronation Park or the Oakville Arena property would be suitable areas for such an ice rink, which would cost about $300,000 to install and between $90,000 and $153,000 a year to operate. Funding for the rink will be considered as part of town's 2007 budget process, so skating wouldn't be available until at least next winter. Glenashton Park is on Glenashton Drive in Ward 6, while Oakville Arena (Rebecca Street) and Coronation Park (Lakeshore Road), are both in Ward 2. Decisions made by the Community Services committee need to be ratified by the full council at its meeting slated for Monday night. When it comes to your feet, we're pro-care. Spot! Since 1952 Save 25% Bottle o removerf spot each ordwith er! FREE! 5 · A network of dedicated fit specialists recognized for their expert knowledge of foot health and foot treatment · By combining education, certification and communication, our Procare specialists deliver an unparalleled fitting service · No matter what size, width or type, they can help you find the right fit 9 LE IDD ER M AST UPPROAD E The largest selection of New Balance apparel, accessories and footwear in multiple widths. 8 403 TH Oakville . W E. Q. TH E LIN E LIN Upper Middle Rd E & 8th Line 905.337.9393 www.newbalanceoakville.ca