MOOSE JAW — Homeowners who live near Ross Wells Park and want to access their driveways, garages or backyards during Miller Express games will still be prohibited from doing so despite protests from some people.
The Miller Express’ home game dates this season included June 5, 6, 7, 8,11, 12, 15, 18 and 20, July 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24 and 27, and Aug. 1 and 2.
City administration provided a written response to Delaurier’s inquiry during the July 14 regular meeting, saying it enacted the road closures using a section in the traffic bylaw. This section, the report said, permitted the city engineer to implement temporary road closures or parking prohibitions for public safety and operational needs.
“The primary reason for the closure of these streets — including the restriction of resident-access — is the designation of the area as a foul ball fly zone,” the report said. “This designation is based on the trajectory and frequency of foul balls exiting the ballpark during games, which pose a significant risk to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
“The city has determined that allowing any vehicle access within this zone during game times would compromise public safety and expose both residents and the city to liability,” the document continued.
The report said that administration recognized the inconvenience these closures caused. However, it also noted that the ball team published its schedule “well in advance,” which gave residents time to plan accordingly.
Furthermore, the closure prohibition only affected properties with private crossings that faced Caribou Street East. These crossings are located within the city’s right-of-way, while the municipality temporarily restricts access to that right-of-way during closures for safety reasons.
Lastly, the city is not denying residents access to their properties “in perpetuity,” but instead, is restricting access only during the designated closure windows, the document said.
“As per traffic bylaw No. 5556, it is an offence to drive on a temporarily closed road or to move barricades or signage,” the report said, adding that violators could receive fines and enforcement action.
“I’m still a little kerfuffled (by this response) … ,” Delaurier said during the July meeting.
Continuing, she said some area residents who have mobility challenges and can’t access the front of their homes must go through their garages to enter their dwellings. So, they must plan around the games about how they can access their homes.
This decision means some residents will have to park on the street in front of their homes, which may make coming and going regularly difficult, Delaurier said. They will likely face the problem of a baseball fan taking their spot and then having to wait several hours until the game finishes before returning to their home.
“And I don’t think this is just something we can, ‘Sorry,’” she added. “I don’t see the harm … in allowing persons that live on those blocks to be able to only — local only — have access to their property, because it is creating a hardship.”
Bevan Harlton, director of operations, thanked Delaurier for the feedback and said this was an issue his department would consider for future ball seasons.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, July 28.
