A debate over where donated fitness equipment will be installed at Willingdon Beach park will be decided by city council.
City of Powell River councillors will vote at their Thursday, November 5 meeting.
“If I was going to be out there trying out a new piece of exercise equipment I wouldn’t want to be ogled from the road or anyone jeering at me,” said Don McLeod from Sunrise Rotary Club in an October committee of the whole meeting. “I’d want to be off to the side in a cooler area in the shade”
The club announced last February that it was planning a purchase of outdoor fitness equipment for seniors and others that would be donated to the city to be installed at Willingdon Beach.
Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 798, which represents the city’s unionized workers, has agreed to the club’s request to have volunteers install the equipment, said Ray Boogaards, director of parks, recreation and culture.
After its initial announcement, the club requested that the equipment be placed along the creek at the park because that area would be the most welcoming and best location to serve the seniors’ population. The club told the city that the area would not be as busy as other parts of the well-used park, that it had a nice view of the ocean, it would be out of the way and not subject users to the direct view of other park users. The club also suggested that the location, being near the campsite and caretakers, would minimize vandalism and provide faster assistance in the event of medical emergency.
Boogaards told councillors that his department supports the donation but has had concerns that while the proposed location is not generally used during the fall and winter, during other times of the year, the area around the Rotary Pavilion is well-used and having the equipment located there may create overcrowding.
Boogaards reported that a public meeting was held in August on the issue and no one objected to the club’s proposed location.
As an alternative location that would minimize the overcrowding, Boogaards said that staff proposed to have the equipment located in the wooded area near Powell River Forestry Museum. He acknowledged that the alternative location would take space away from the tents set up in the park during BC Bike Race’s annual stop in Powell River.
“The site is heavily treed and would assist in protecting its users from the sun,” he said.
Despite the fact that the club intends the equipment to be used by seniors many other age groups are going to use it as well, Boogaards added. “Locating the equipment in this area will assist both seniors watching over their grandchildren and parents watching over their children while they play on the newer playground equipment.”
