Notice of motion given to discuss possible eight-lane track

By Ron Giofu

Expect to hear more about a possible eight-lane track coming to H. Murray Smith Centennial Park.

Thursday

Richmond St. fire causes roughly $20K damage

By Ron Giofu

The Amherstburg Fire Department is estimating the damage at a Richmond St. home at $20,000 after a fire call last Thursday afternoon.

Stations 1 and 3 were called to the 200 block of Richmond St., just west of Victoria St. S., around 4:45 p.m. Approximately 30 firefighters were on scene, added deputy fire chief Ron Meloche.

“We were called for a structure fire,” said Meloche. “It ended up being a small fire at the back door that extended into the crawl space.”

Firefighters had to cut the floor and door frame, which added to the damage estimate, he added.

Residents were home at the time of the fire and one of the homeowners was trying to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. A woman and her son were temporarily displaced, said Meloche, as hydro and gas had to be shut off and isolated.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, the deputy chief added. Meloche further stated the fire was more of a smouldering fire with “very little flames.”

There were no injuries to firefighters or occupants, Meloche stated, and Amherstburg fire crews were on scene for approximately 90 minutes.

Councillor Peter Courtney put forth a notice of motion at the end of the May 23 town council meeting regarding a track at that park. The notice of motion will be considered at the June 12 meeting.

According to the notice of motion, Courtney would call for administration to identify space required for an eight-lane track within H. Murray Smith Centennial Park on a north-south orientation should the motion be passed. Courtney’s motion also would call for administration to reserve space in the H. Murray Smith Centennial Park conceptual plan that would be required for an eight-lane track “inclusive of any associated amenity such as parking, access trails, etc. in order to properly use such an amenity should it be created.”

Courtney has previously stated, and also provided a previous council motion, that no taxpayer dollars be used in developing a track, if possible, with the notice of motion calling for “the period for raising funds towards the creation of a track be extended from the original 18-month period to June 12, 2025” and “the decision on whether an eight-lane track is installed at Centennial Park or whether the reserved space be used for a passive trail network be considered following June 12, 2025.”

The original council motion referred to by Courtney pointed out that H. Murray Smith Centennial Park or Jack Purdie Park were not to be considered surplus and if a track is built at the site, it retain the name of S. Ralph McCurdy. If the track does not move forward and a passive trail system is installed, the McCurdy name would be put on the former Amherstburg Cultural Centre building, also known as the former ACS building.

Councillor Peter Courtney made a motion regarding a potential new eight-lane track at H. Murray Smith Centennial Park. The south end of the former track (pictured), was cut off due to the construction of North Star High School. RTT