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City council approves additional lights in Lions Club Park

Mar 17, 2016 | 8:14 AM

A request to add additional lighting around the walking path in Lions Park has been approved by Meadow Lake city council.

The decision to endorse the Lions Club need for additional lights came at council’s last meeting on March 14.

Mayor Gary Vidal said a similar proposal had been made two years ago, but was rejected due to high cost. “This seems like a very good compromise where they can get some additional lighting in some areas, where it’s maybe a little dark around the path, and do it in a very cost effective manner.”

The estimated cost of installing the seven lights is $400 to $500 each ($3,500 at the most), which will be covered by the Lions Club. The City of Meadow Lake will be responsible for paying the power bill and maintenance of the lights, which is estimated to cost approximately $76 per month.

“I think this is a really good compromise by the Lions Club and the city to get this done and make the park even that much more user-friendly,” Vidal said.

Lions Park is heavily used by community members. It has a hill for tobogganing, an outdoor theater, park, baseball diamonds, football field and walking path.

Vidal said there is an assumption that extra lighting will deter vandalism and graffiti in the park. However, he added most of the vandalism appears to happen in well-lit areas.

“It’s more just the usability of the walking path after dark. People are more comfortable having a lit walking path, rather than having some areas that are dark while walking in the evenings,” he said.

A few of the proposed poles belong to SaskPower so approval is needed before the lights can be placed on the pole.

There is no time frame on when the lights will be put up.

 

cswiderski@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @coltonswiderski