ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The City of St. John’s is tasked with replacing the current H.G.R. Mews Centre in Mundy Pond, and on Friday it released details from the public engagement sessions.
Feedback indicates people who participated in the engagement sessions prefer the Mundy Pond Park location for the replacement, rather than the original proposed site on the gravel lot across Mundy Pond Road from the current location.
Several people suggested the city demolish the existing centre and rebuild in the same location.
Others suggested the city purchase 50 Mundy Pond Rd. and use the current location for a parking lot – that idea was evaluated by city staff as a third potential option.
Some things people liked about the proposed park location included: all amenities in one place, adequate parking, improved safety because the parking lot and community centre will be together, and the centre would remain in the neighbourhood.
Concerns about the park location included potential for flooding, an increase in traffic on Blackler Avenue, the loss of the soccer field to accommodate the centre, and negative impacts on nearby residential properties such as loss of pond views, and increases in noise and lighting.
About 80 people attended in-person engagement sessions, 11 people sent emails, 29 responded via engagestjohns.ca, and six organizations gave feedback.
City staff are recommending council approve the park location.
Council will make a decision at its regular meeting on Monday.
