HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-02-01, Page 6Making plans
Mike Thomas and chairman John Harrison, seated,
discuss the plans for the proposed ball diamond and
soccer field, to be located behind the BMG arena, with
those in attendance at the public meeting last Wednesday
evening at the Legion.
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PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1995.
Small turnout to hear ball diamond plans
By Bonnie Gropp
If attendance was any indication,
opposition and support for the pro-
posed recreational development in
Brussels is lackadaisical to this
point.
Fortunately, committee members
representing a cross-section of
organizations and groups in the vil-
lage, have plenty of enthusiasm for
the project.
John Harrison, chairman of the
Park Recreational Development
Committee said to the 25 people
present, "This is a community pro-
ject and we hope to have the com-
munity involved."
The plan is for the development
of the seven acre lot behind the
arena, land that was purchased in
1990, with the Agricultural Society
paying over half and the remainder
being split between the municipali-
ties of Grey, Morris and Brussels
according to the percentage of
usage.
The completion of a new fastball
diamond and a soccer field is to be
phased over a four year period,
though, Mr. Harrison said, it is
hoped that the diamond can be used
for day games by the second year.
The area will also include a
pavilion, which should get the
before and after game socializing
away from the pool and populated
area around the present diamond,
Mr. Harrison said.
According to the design of the
field the six tower lights will be
installed so that there should be lit-
tle impact on the neighbouring resi-
dents.
The plan for this year is for the
leveling of the land, the installation
of drainage tile, fill of the ballpark
THE EDITOR,
I found last week's lead editorial
'Spare that tree?' to be dismayingly
ill-considered.
It is simplistic to characterize the
proposed logging of the Morris
Tract as a clear-cut rural vs. urban
controversy. Genuinely environ-
mentally-concerned people also
reside in rural Huron County
although some may be afraid to
speak up for fear of ostracism of
ridicule.
The editorial fails to consider
some verifiable facts. For example,
a forest cover of eight per cent is
regarded as a necessary minimum
for a healthy environment. Some
townships in Huron and adjacent
counties has as low as three per
cent forestation. Most of what
remains of the vast forest of
Southwestern Ontario consists of
small, fragmented, non-continuous
strips of privately-owned woodlots
and equally small tracts of bush
operated and managed by local
conservation authorities, all of
which, incidentally, are potentially
open to logging as is the case with
the Morris Tract in question.
Forests constitute an essential
protective habitat for a number of
endangered plant and animal
species as well as being vital for
the maintaining of the priceless and
fragile biodiversity of any
ecosystem. A forest is certainly not
neatly-planted rows of carrots and
tomatoes as the editorialist
suggests. The analogy of prun;iig to
justify the selective logging of this
bush is, therefore, a spacious one.
infield and seeding. The estimated
cost is $14,500. The field will drain
into the Nichol Drain.
It is hoped that in 1996 the com-
mittee will be able to proceed with
the installation of backstop and
fences as well as the construction
of the dugouts, bleachers and start
of the pavilion. The estimate for
this phase is $26,000.
Year three is set for the comple-
tion of the pavilion and bleachers,
the installation of a septic system
and the running of water and hydro
lines at an estimate of $19,500.
The most expensive phase has
been left for the fourth year — the
installation of lights at an estimated
cost of $40,000.
Mr. Harrison said though the
estimates had been worked out with
current prices, a cushion was added
on most of the figures. It is hoped
that most of the work will be done
by volunteer labour, Mr. Harrison
said, adding that the engineering
work was done at no cost and an
electrician has offered his services
as well.
Several fundraisers are being
planned, including a casino night,
slowpitch tournament and silent
auction. "It is a lot of money and
we realize we are going to have to
come up with some ingenious ways
of (raising) it," Mr. Harrison said,
adding that work would no proceed
if the funds weren't there.
Though the property owners in
attendance had small concerns
about noise and trespassers who
might climb the fence, they raised
no serious objections.
Mr. Harrison said there will be a
security fence around the field with
a gate on the north east corner for
access. Recreation has agreed to
In the forest, even a dead,
otherwise ugly tree may provide
the perfect home for a bird or small
mammal.
The suggestion that what hikers
and recreational snowmobilers
"really want is for the forest to be
left to their own use" (or, 'misuse'
as the writer implies) is something
of a cheap shot. What the writer
and the former Huron Tree
Commissioner seem to be 'really
seeing' is strictly the dollar value of
the forest at a time when hardwood
lumber prices are currently so
attractive.
In a short 200 years of
settlement, we have managed to
practically deforest Huron County.
If anything the county and the
province must make a concerted
effort and find the finances for
reforestation and increased
roadside planting.
As for the matter of the
$175,000, I have no knowledge as
to how and why such an agreement
was made, but it stands as yet
another example of how unwilling
we are to pay for the preservation
of the environment, especially in
times of economic distress.
I conclude with a question. Who
was responsible for forest
management before we cleared the
land for agriculture? The answer of
course is nature herself. She did an
admirable job and I would entrust
this responsibility to her any day
before I would hand over complete
control to her short-sighted-human
inhabitants.
Randy Banks, Walton.
maintain the field, just as they do
the existing diamond.
Mr. Harrison said the committee
believes strongly in the need for a
new ball diamond. "Brussels is well
known for its ball tournaments. In
the past we have had to turn teams
down from participating. With a
new diamond we can increase the
size of the tournaments which will
bring money into the village."
Also, Mr. Harrison explained, the
number of teams playing in the vil-
lage's leagues has increased to the
point where they have to set a time
limit on games. "Some of the
Minor Ball teams were only getting
a few innings played which is frus-
trating. Imagine driving your kid
from Goderich to a ball game, then
having that game stopped at three
innings."
"We have to get the pressure off
the existing diamonds and let the
kids play ball again."
Grey ends year
in good shape
Grey Township council held its
regular meeting on Jan. 23 and
received the 1994 fmancial state-
ments from township auditor
Michael Meyer which indicated an
accumulated net surplus of
$79,647.
Council accepted the 1995-96
insurance package at a cost of
$23,239 which is approximately 30
per cent higher than the 1994
premium.
Ron Harrison was added to the
Ethel Minor Ball Committee.
The next regular meeting of
council is scheduled for Monday,
Feb. 6 at 9:30 a.m.
DHC names
exec. director
The Huron Perth District Health
Council introduced its Executive
Director at its monthly meeting at
the Mitchell town hall Jan. 26.
Mr. Fraser Bell will leave his
post as a Hospital Consultant/
Inspector with the Ministry of
Health and commence his work
with the council on Feb. 13.
Mr. Bell holds a Master of
Business Administration (Health
Services Management) degree from
McMaster University; a Bachelor
of Sciences (Biology) degree from
McMaster; and a Bachelor of Arts
(Economics) degree from the
Wilfred Laurier University.
In addition to his work with the
Ministry of Health, he has held a
senior consultant position with
Price Waterhouse Health Manage-
ment Consultants and has worked
in hospitals in both London and
Hamilton.
Letter to the editor
Editorial stance
ill-considered,
says Walton man