Service clubs

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The Kincardine Lions Club has a 10-year improvement plan for Lions Park, located beside the Davidson Centre, and wants endorsement from Kincardine council to proceed.

In committee-of-the-whole Aug. 10, John McManus of the Lions Club, said the group needs a formal letter from the municipality, authorizing the club to use that municipal parkland. And once the park is developed, the municipality would maintain it.

"We have a similar agreement with the Tiverton Agricultural Society," said councillor Maureen Couture. "I don't see a problem."

"I disagree," said councillor Kenneth Craig. "The Tiverton Agricultural Society has sole responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the property it uses. Here, the Lions Club is saying it will develop the park and then hand it back to the municipality to maintain."

"We have agreements with various service groups and they are all different," said Couture.

Ken Fair, president of the Kincardine Lions Club, said the Lions Park attracts people from everywhere. 

"We want to put together a plan that includes a splash pad, skateboard park and washrooms," he said. "It will be an overall enhancement - a first-class facility to complement the recreation centre. We did a $150,000 playground; we can tackle this too."

McManus said the club is seeking government funding through 2012 grants which are focused on seniors and youth (ages 12-18). "It would be neat to see activities geared to a whole family in that space," he said.

Fair said the plan is to install a California-style skateboard park. "The existing one is not challenging enough. We could turn that area into an ice pad or tennis courts."

"It's marvellous to have a service club that wants to do these types of projects," said councillor Ron Coristine.

Council agreed to have staff draw up an agreement between the Lions Club and the municipality pertaining to development of the Lions Park property. That agreement will come to the Sept. 7 council meeting for discussion and, if approved, it will be finalized in October.

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Friday, August 19, 2011