Yellowknife (Dec 15/04) - City councillors have asked the administration to explore ideas about moving the skateboard park.

The park, located in a corner of Ecole St. Joseph's field, became an issue last summer after the school's principal, Flo Campbell, and neighbouring residents raised concerns over noise, littering, partying and vandalism in the park.

City council passed a motion Monday to study moving the skateboard park from its current location at St. Joe's school. The mess shows why.

At past council meetings, residents have pushed for a change of location. The NWT Boardsport Association has also supported a move.

Councillors also asked that city administration work more closely with St. Joe's school and the NWT Boardsport Association, something association president Shawn McCann said her group has been seeking for some time.

The association applied to move the park to new land back in 2002, but never heard from city council.

"It's been two years and they haven't made a decision yet," she said. "If they'd decided two years ago we could have a new park built by now."

Coun. Bob Brooks said he understood the school's concerns about vandalism, but argued against past suggestions that the park be moved near the Wade Hamer mini-golf course.

"There'd be no way for us to do security and supervision on the site," he said, noting there is already a history of vandalism in the area. Security and supervisory concerns were common among councillors at Monday's meeting. Several suggested the Multiplex site as a possible location for a park because it could be monitored more easily.

The possibility of an indoor park was also raised.

But there isn't money in the current budget for anything more than a temporary solution, said Coun. Alan Woytuik -- a view echoed by some of his colleagues.

"I don't think anything is going to happen this year," said Coun. Kevin O'Reilly.

Improve on the design

Woytuik underlined the need to improve on the design of the old park, something he has heard complaints about.

"If we're going to do it, we should take our time and do a good job of it," he said. "Otherwise we're just throwing good money after bad."

In the short-term, Woytuik suggested adding trash cans, increasing patrols in the area, keeping the park locked more often and relocating the park's gate from the school side to the road.

City administration was asked to report back to council by the end of February or March.

It's important to get a new park going before the old one closes, Boardsport's McCann said. "If they close the current park the kids will just go back to skating where you don't want them," she explained.

"I think everybody understands (the park) has to be moved."