HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-37-90DATE:
TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT File #
Res. #
By -Law #
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION
SEPTEMBER 17, 1990
REPORT #: CS -37 -90 FILE #:
SJB,ECT' UPDATE ON SKATEBOARD FACILITIES
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose &
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:-
1. That Report No. CS -37 -90 be received for information.
1.0 BACKGROUND:
1.1 In response to a number of complaints and incidents associated
with skateboard users Council directed staff to initiate a
program to provide skateboard facilities in a controlled
environment. Subsequently funding to provide skateboard
apparatus was provided through the Community Services
Department's 1990 Capital Budget.
1.2 During June and July, five locations were selected and where
necessary, approval was received from the Northumberland and
Newcastle Board of Education. The five sites selected were
chosen to service the municipality's major urban centres and
were located at the Newcastle Lions Pool, Orono Park,
Bowmanville Memorial Park, Darlington Sports Centre and
Courtice High School. Asphalt pads were prepared at three of
the sites to facilitate the ramps and skateboards.
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REPORT CS -37 -90 - 2 - SEPTEMBER 17,1990
2.0 REPORT:
2.1 The announcement of unsupervised, skateboard facilities in the
Town of Newcastle initiated a number of inquiries from
citizens, staff and elected officials of other Municipalities.
Inquiries for the most part centred around the public
liability aspect.
2.2 Staff, with the cooperation of the Town's insurance carrier
recognized the potential danger to persons and property by
skateboarders utilizing public streets and agreed that
provision of skateboard facilities would provide a degree of
safety to the public, skateboard users and public property.
To our Insurance carriers knowledge, this was the first time
unsupervised skateboard facilities were provided by a
Municipality in Ontario.
2.3 Wording of signs was agreed upon with the Town's Insurance
carrier. The signs alerted both the public and skateboarders
to the possible hazards and informed the participants of the
rules of conduct and the safety equipment required for use of
the facilities.
3.0 PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS
3.1 Initially some of the users created problems such as playing
loud music, using the facilities late into the evening,
defacing signs, and moving curbs to allow cars to park
adjacent to the ramps.
3.2 The ramps were designed for beginners and intermediate skilled
users. This has met the majority of needs however, in each
community some higher skilled skateboard users have sought a
greater challenge and have on occasion arranged ramps and
curbs to create drops, jumps and hurdles. A few have
requested more challenging apparatus.
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REPORT CS-37-90 - 3 - SEPTEMBER 17,1990
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4.0 MAINTENANCE
4.1 The wear and tear on the masonite ramp surfaces has
necessitated their replacement several times during the
season. Because of this deterriation and other potential
dangers the sites were inspected and serviced daily.
Continued improvements in design and materials will in future
years reduce the amount of maintenance required.
5.0 POLICING
5.1 Initial problems from noise, rowdy behaviour and vandalism
have decreased appreciably and at the present time no serious
problems exist.
5.2 A continuing problem has been the use of the facilities by
some individuals who neglect or refuse to wear the required
safety equipment. Unprotected users increase the potential
for a serious accident and increase the Town's liability.
Staff have been directed to request users to refrain from
using the facility until properly attired.
6.0 FUTURE
6.1 Skateboarding was born in California out of the popular
surfing in the late fifties and early sixties. The sport
spread across North America over the next decade. Its
popularity with our youth will in staff's opinion remain
popular for many more years.
6.2 Requests from skilled skateboarders for higher levels of
challenge can best be met at supervised commercial facilities
as provided in both Oshawa and Peterborough. The cost of
providing indoor facilities with advanced apparatus for our
users is excessive and as such staff is not prepared to
recomend this higher level of service.
6.3 The existing twenty apparatus will be inspected, stored and
resurfaced during the upcoming winter months then re-
installed during the spring and summer of 1991.
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REPORT CS -37 -90 - 4 - SEPTEMBER 17,1990
7.0 C016MNT :
7.1 Although the public initially had many doubts and concerns,
the degree of problems envisioned have not materialized.
These facilities have assisted to reduce to the frequency of
skateboarders using sidewalks and streets and further, no
serious or reported accidents or incidents have occurred.
This program has proven a success and is worthy of
continuance.
Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation
to the Committee,
JoseBh P. Caruana, Director La ence E Kotseff
Department of Community Services Chief A i istrative Officer
JPC:JDC:dmm