THUNDER BAY — A new report from city administration recommends the City of Thunder Bay look into building a skate park at the former Dease Pool site.
The idea has come up in the past.
There was some interest in it during a public consultation process in late 2019.
At the time, city staff cautioned against installing either a skateboard plaza or a spray pad at the pool site for a variety of reasons.
These included potential incompatability with neighbouring residences, the potential cost of mitigating concerns, and the possibility of providing recreational opportunities at the adjacent Dease Park.
Since then, however, the Thunder Bay Skateboard Coalition has come out in support of a permanent installation which would cater to intermediate-level users.
The administration report to be presented to city council next week says the pool site offers some benefits – such as high visibility from Vickers Street – and options to reduce the negative impacts on neighbours, including the installation of a barrier to reduce noise.
A skate park would cost just over $300,000, but the cost of other amenities including a shade structure would raise the total cost of redeveloping the property to almost $500,000.
That's double the cost of a plan developed for the pool site in 2019, which included a fenced outdoor tennis/pickleball court, community garden, shaded sitting area with cultural historic panels and an edible fruit tree planting.
However, in recent public consultations this plan has received only mixed support.
Administration wants councillors to approve broader public engagement on the skate park proposal.
It also wants permission to get public input on "traffic calming" measures that may be required on Dease Street to improve safety for people crossing back and forth between the former pool site and a redeveloped Dease Park.
The report notes "traffic calming measures may be controversial."
Options range from painting designated crossings at two locations to closing Dease Street between Vickers Street and McKellar Street.
With regard to the redevelopment of Dease Park, the current plan, based on consultation with stakeholders, includes two phases plus a potential third.
The first stage would see the replacement of the existing half-court basketball area with a boarded, lighted year-round rink, new walkways, a sitting area and resodding of the large, open green space.
Stage two would include an enhanced play structure, new lighting, benches and a shade structure.
Initially, administration proposes that detailed design and construction begin for these phases only. In future, a third phase would see construction of a permanent amenity building with running water and washrooms.
If all proposed elements of the Dease Park/Dease Pool redevelopment were to proceed, it would cost $1.6 million.
The staff report notes that realizing the entire plan will require phasing as well as some combination of external funding and/or capital investments beyond 2021.
The city already has $253,000 earmarked for Dease Park revitalization.
Last week, council voted to apply for up to $250,000 in federal funding.
Administration says the current concept plans for the area "exceed the city's typical standards and investment levels for a 'neighbourhood' park."
It says they are more in keeping with what would be provided in a larger 'community' park.
"Enhanced investments in parks and open space infrastructure may be supported by Council and residents alike," the report says.
It adds, however, "At the same time, municipalities, residents and businesses continue to face many financial challenges resulting from the pandemic."
