by Sylene Argent
On Thursday, Councillor Sherry Bondy hosted a virtual meeting to discuss sports in the Harrow and Colchester areas.
A handful of individuals - some residents, others involved with minor sport organizations within the areas, participated to provide input about the current sports-related climate in the southern-end of the town, and what they hope to see in the future; in addition to what needs to be done to make those improvements.
The participants talked about the strengths and weaknesses as it relates to current sporting activities in the Harrow and Colchester areas. Participants spoke of the community being fortunate to have the Harrow Arena, and noted it is located in a great area, with other amenities like the skate park, playground, and walking track close by.
The multitude of amenities in that area, including a playground and splashpad, that serve as entertainment for youngsters who are waiting on a sibling who may be involved in an organized recreational game or practice.
The area also tends to have many volunteers, who are happy to lend a hand when either organizing sport clubs or fundraising for them.
It was also noted soccer in the area typically gets good enrolment every year.
Those who tuned into the meeting were enthusiastic about the amenities they have, some voiced the need for a gym in the area to host recreational activities. Some noted the Town of Essex, during times of normalcy, has been able to offer more recreational opportunities in Essex Centre than Harrow, because it has a gym area available in the Maedel Community Centre.
The group spoke of the former Harrow High School facility, pointing out it would be nice to be able to use some of its classrooms and gym to host additional recreational facilities, even biathlon, triathlon, and cycling activities that could be based at this facility, if the Town was, one day, able to purchase the former school.
Bondy noted the facility is far from being turnkey, but believes it is a solid building.
Participants of the meeting said it would be nice to have a space to host year-round pickleball, and other opportunities that a gym could allow. Sports like floor hockey would be beneficial to the community as it does not not require participants to obtain large amounts of equipment. Other sports mentioned included badminton, squash, opportunities for those with special needs, and other recreational opportunities that could be unique to Harrow to bring in outside interest.
Some of the younger participants added it would be nice if there were basketball nets set up around the arena.
Bondy would like to push to have a few additions added to the skate park in Harrow to “jazz it up. We need a boost, and I think that will help.”
She said those enhancements are projected in the Town’s budget within the next few years, but she would like to see if she could push if forward.
Moving forward, Bondy suggested it may be a good idea to form a Harrow volunteer recreation committee and further create an athletic association through that.
Bondy will make a presentation to Council about the meeting at an upcoming Essex Council meeting.
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