Prince Edward County council heard a presentation on a master heritage plan for the Picton fairgrounds at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Dr. Carl Bray of Bray Heritage laid out the plan that envisions the fairgrounds as a link between country and city lifestyles with recreation space for year-round use and space to feature the agricultural spirit of the county. The report outlines the Picton fairgrounds as an important link between the agricultural sector and the rest of the county.
There were multiple public comments against the master plan, specifically against the section that discusses the possibility of altering the skate park that exists there currently.
Sami Lester, who said she was a part of the group who worked to bring the skate park to fruition, said that the master plan doesn’t take into account recreational space for kids.
“In reading the slides and the document I just felt that this actually represents that the community doesn’t care about youth which is the opposite of what Dr. Bray has said, and I recognize that, but youth is what I have focused my career on and that’s the impression it made me feel.”
Lester was referring to part three section 7.1 of the master plan which refers to providing outdoor recreation for all. The section on recreation space speaks about possibly making minor changes to the skate park in the event of upgrades to the existing horse track.
Other members of the public chimed in to say they agreed with Lester on not touching the skate park.
Councillor Kate MacNaughton assured them that the master plan is not a solid plan but an idea.
“You raised an important point. I don’t believe that we have a plan that we’re embarking on necessarily, there are no resources to embark on any plan. But all those voices would, I believe, be taken into account and there would be opportunities if there was ever going to be an absolute sort of plan of action undertaken.”
