Redevelopment of Woods Park ice rink and basketball court underway
Sophie Demers
A new redevelopment project commenced in Woods Park much to the surprise of many local residents. The project consists of repairing the skating rink and the basketball court. The City of Gatineau will be adding a new asphalt concrete surface and markings for a pickleball court. This installation will be used all year round as a rink in the winter and a basketball and pickleball court in the spring, summer and fall.
According to the City of Gatineau there was no formal consultation with the neighborhood as it is an improvement to an existing structure. The project is necessary after the fire that occurred in the rink in September last year. Additionally, the concrete surface had to be redone to avoid injury. This project aims to strengthen service to citizens as well as to contribute to their quality of life while encouraging them to have an active lifestyle. This project will cost approximately $214 232 and is set to be completed by December 3 of this year.
Lise Filiatrault, President of Friends of Wychwood, the neighborhood association, highlights that residents have been managing and maintaining a smaller rink throughout the winter beside the larger one so that even more residents can enjoy the park. “I think this is a positive development for our neighborhood as the park and the rink are used often and by many residents of Wychwood and neighboring communities. I believe that residents will be happy to see that the city ensures recreational facilities are in good condition,” says Filiatrault. The president of the neighborhood association also states that “It would be nice if the town set up a small chalet with space to put on skates in the winter and store maintenance equipment for the nearby second ice rink that the Friends of Wychwood operates beside the one maintained by the City.”