Lively residents have their say on 6th Avenue park plans

The future of the 6th Avenue park in Lively will be on the table at a public meeting tonight.

The outdoor rink was moved from the park to the nearby ski hill a few years ago — the first step in a plan that would have seen the park sold, with the proceeds going to build a recreational complex at the ski hill.

This was a pet project for the previous ward councillor, Jacques Barbeau, who was voted out in October.

But the new councillor, Michael Vagnini, says he wants to leave politics out of this decision.

“We have to do what's right for the people. In our decision, we have to make sure that the majority agrees and the majority rules."

Some residents are hoping to undo the plan.

"That came out loud and clear through my campaign trail that the constituents did not want the park sold,” Vagnini said, adding many want the rink moved back to where it was before.

The public meeting will be held in the upper hall of the arena in Lively starting at 7 p.m. tonight.

Lively resident Forbes Stoodley plans on being there.

He was a supporter of the original plan and doesn't see the wisdom in un-doing something that was done just a few years ago.

"It sort of goes sideways through your head but, nevertheless, I guess we have to go with whatever, but we would certainly prefer that the original plan went through."

Any deal to sell city parkland, would first need to be voted on by Sudbury city council.