Significant upgrades coming to Oliver Scott Memorial Park

Craig Bakay | Jul 19, 2017

Central Frontenac Council authorized the go-ahead for a septic system and canteen/washrooms/warming/storage area at Oliver Scott Memorial Park in Sharbot Lake with the intent to complete construction in the fall of 2017 at its regular meeting on Tuesday July 11 in Arden.

Specifically, the resolution authorized Chief Building Official Shawn Merriman to apply for the appropriate septic permit, issue a purchase order and proceed with the construction of the canteen building.

“I hope the canteen can be built this fall but September might be too optimistic,” Merriman said. “November is more realistic.

“If I’m lucky I’ll be able to present a plan at the August Council meeting but it will more likely be September’s meeting.”

In 2016, Council set aside $30,000 for facilities at the park, which is adjacent to Granite Ridge Education Centre. Merriman said that a well will cost $7,500 and the septic about $12,500 including the cost of permits and such. That won’t leave much for the actual construction as well as the necessary drainage and other costs to be taken into consideration.

“It’s not like the old days when you could put up whatever you wanted and nobody cared,” he said. “Today you have to factor in accessibility, emergency parking and I’m especially concerned about drainage there.”

Coun. Tom Dewey asked about the $10,000 the District 3 Rec Committee has raised for a rink on the site.

Clerk/CAO Cathy MacMunn said that money is for the rink itself. “The volunteers are not responsible for anything else,” she said. “The canteen will be a Township building and therefore it’s our responsibility.”

Several councilors were concerned about parking. Much of the the available parking area on-site will be taken up once the rink is built and much of the plan involves a partnership with the school to use their parking lot.

“I’m sure the Limestone Board will want to enter into some type of agreement,” said MacMunn. “They use the ball field now for some activities and we have had a similar agreement in the past for the tennis courts (beside the former Sharbot Lake Public School.)

Merriman said he too was concerned about parking long term because it is conceivably possible the school might not want its parking lot used sometime in the future but “I’m more concerned about drainage.”

Coun. Phillip Smith said he was concerned that “we’re not treating all the rec committees the same.

“District 4 has raised a lot of money for facilities and I’d like to see more money from District 3.”

Merriman said that he was impressed with all the work and plans District 3 has already done and “this is a worthwhile project and the District 3 committee should be applauded for their amazing endeavor and commitment to raise what will probably be between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on the inclusion of an in-pad cooling system.

“In addition, the Township may have an obligation to make sure that which was removed is returned and so that even if the rink/pad never occurs thus this building should be constructed regardless.”