Beach volleyball: yea or nay?

Times Reporter   

 

The Town of Strathmore and the Kinsmen Club are considering expanding into an area just east of Kinsmen Park (roughly 9.6 acres) for additional recreation opportunity projects. The Town has asked residents to participate in a survey for evaluating whether or not beach volleyball courts would be a smart investment. 

“Because of the fact (beach volleyball courts) are growing with such popularity in the major centres, they think that they’ll work,” Recreational Events and Communication Coordinator Tracy Simpson said. “Before we spend the money on bringing them in – it’s quite expensive, it’s going to be an investment – if it’s something the community really wants then they’ll do it, but they don’t want to waste their money on something that’s just going to sit empty.”

Two to four courts are being proposed; other potential ideas for the future include outdoor exercise equipment along the canal, or a bocce court.

“We’re just trying to get an idea of what the community wants and what is going to be best utilized by the most people,” Simpson said.

Simpson noted, that while we have plenty of indoor recreation, the only outdoor recreation space Strathmore has are the pathways; this expansion would be a great opportunity to grow on. It is expected they’d be available for play from May to October once up and running.

If this were to pass, Simpson said the more sporting events we can host (or festivals or tournaments) the better.

“There’s definitely a tourism factor, but there’s also a community factor. The more things we can offer people to do in their free time, makes it more of an attractive place to live. As a community that’s looking to attract young families, more recreational facilities are definitely a good investment,” she said. “We want a healthy town. The more recreational opportunities that are cheap, or free, the better.”

The financial backer of the project, the Kinsmen Club, own the park, and are very interested in putting money into the project. Depending on how many took place in the survey, it will be taken into the consideration by those who have the final say –

the Town and the Kinsmen Club. The survey closes July 26.