Council spent some time last meeting debating what to do about Spirit Square being used as a hangout.
A complaint to council expressed concern there were people hanging out in the park who might be making it unpleasant for others to use. The complainant suggested there were people drinking, smoking and going to the washroom in the park.
Councillor Russ Gingrich wanted to see increased enforcement by RCMP in the park.
“I believe that we have laws in this country and they must be enforced,” he said.
While Mayor Rob MacDougall said he would like to encourage community members to report what they see so the RCMP can then act on the problems as they arise.
“The only solution to me is to observe and report,” said MacDougall.
He also suggested it might help to take out some of the shrubs along the shore to prevent people from sheltering in them.
The topic of a public washroom for people in the downtown area was not raised, but a grant opportunity for addictions and mental health initiatives was brought up as something which might be able to help in the future by Kris Nielson who was at the meeting for another purpose.
