Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 16/98) - Although the Williams Avenue skateboard park has come under fire lately, it still has the potential to be a tremendous benefit to the city, says Paul Gamble, manager of municipal enforcement.

The issue was addressed during a meeting Thursday afternoon between concerned citizens, Gamble, director of community services Grant White and director of public safety Dave Nicklen.

Numerous noise complaints have been received about the park, as well as reports of fires in the bush behind the facility and bottles being smashed.

Gamble said a noise bylaw is in effect from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m.

He said the kids talking and laughing at the park after 11 p.m. disturbs some people, so they call and complain.

"When we get a call for the noise, from say the Diamond Park area, we attend and try and quiet the kids down," said Gamble.

"That area is a real positive one for the youth, so we try and work with them and keep them quiet."

As far as allegations of drinking and other illegal activities, Gamble says his department has never witnessed that.

"If any of our officers witnessed that, we'd call in the RCMP, but we've had no incidents of that nature.

"What we want to do is come to a long-term solution so they can still use the park, but people nearby can still have their peace and quiet."

John Enns-Wind, president of the Condominium Association, said he was pleased with what he heard at Thursday's meeting.

He said the city indicated it was going to finish placing trees as a noise barrier and replace the existing fence with a 1.8 metre-high barrier.

"We also think the skateboard park has the potential to be an asset to the community, but right now it's a liability," said Enns-Wind.

"There's been about six fires in the area between the park and the basketball court and we've had people show up there at 3 a.m. and decide it's a good place to party."

Enns-Wind says a number of neighbourhood kids are no longer allowed to play at the park.

He says area residents also suspect illegal activity is taking place there.

"When somebody yells across the street, "Hey, I've got the stuff. Do you have the money?" I can't assume they're talking about skateboard bearings."

Enns-Wind says area residents are glad the city has indicated it wants to see the park become the asset it was meant to be, but adds action speaks louder than words.

"The measure of city hall, as with any person or institution, is its actions and not necessarily its words."

White says the original plan of planting trees and other landscaping for the park was started in the spring and will be completed this fall.

"The playground was always there and we enhanced it," said White.

"Now we're going to finish the plan to make sure the noise stays where it's supposed to."

Gamble says 99 per cent of those who use the park are good kids.

"It's unfair to make all the kids suffer because of the behaviour of a few."