Port Alberni city councillors have put the brakes on an initiative that would see an outdoor exercise park installed at Bob Dailey Stadium.
Councillors clarified at their Dec. 9 meeting that they had not debated then voted for the project to go ahead.
“There’s been no debate so it isn’t going anywhere,” Coun. Jack McCleman said.
The discussion was prompted by a question from audience member Neil Anderson, who asked what council’s direction was with respect to the issue.“The surplus should be spent on a high need list and not a high want list,” Anderson said.
The proposed workout area would have been located in the grassy area between Bob Dailey Stadium and Glenwood Centre.It would have been comprised of several pieces of workout equipment designed to use body weight as resistance.
The project hinged on savings realized from the resurfacing of the track last summer.
Some $60,000 in savings were realized that, combined with a $10,000 donation from the track club, would have underwritten the initiative.
Parksville, Cowichan and Langford are other districts which have similar facilities.
Service groups should be approached to see what kind of contribution they could make to the project as well, Coun. Dan Washington said.
“I’d like to see us use service club money rather than city money.”
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