Barnwell working on recreation plan

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

The Village of Barnwell will soon be drafting a recreation capital plan.

The issue was discussed at the village council’s Sept. 17 meeting.

It is part of a collaborative effort with the M.D. of Taber who is looking to link walking paths throughout the area.

Featured in the plan with be upgrades to recreation capital found in the Village of Barnwell.

“Are there any other recreation type things with repairs or additions that you guys can think of to have a bit of a list to give to the M.D.,” said Barnwell Mayor Eric Jensen.

On the top of Coun. Christy Lund’s wish list was some sort of tobogganing hill for kids to enjoy.

“Whenever they scoop the snow, wherever they pile it, be it the church or whatever, that’s where the kids go to sled,” said Lund.

“It’s usually sledding into the parking lot or the street. The park behind the library on the far end, that’s where maybe it’s not used a ton. If there was a big hill, the kids would be there all winter long. I drag my kids into the M.D. Park every once in awhile, but it’s not handy for them to just go.”

The hill would have the dual use in the summer according to Lund as a highly utilized feature in Barnwell.

“It would get used all year round. I don’t know if someone has a pile of dirt they can’t get rid of that we can plant grass on,” said Lund. “Do you know how many kids have gone down to the coulees and broken their arm down there?”

Barnwell Chief Administrative Officer Wendy Bateman noted if a hill were to be built, liability concerns would have to be considered insurance wise. Those insurance concerns were brought up again when a member from the gallery inquired if an outdoor skating rink was possible.

“When we had the snowfall and the ice, I saw quite a few kids out there with skates. Is there a lot of liability with skate rinks?” inquired a citizen.

“Years ago we looked into it and the liability was astronomical,” responded Coun. Jane Jensen.