The bleachers at Sarnia's Norm Perry Park taped off. November 1, 2022 Photo by Melanie IrwinThe bleachers at Sarnia's Norm Perry Park taped off. November 1, 2022 Photo by Melanie Irwin
Sarnia

City working to remove Norm Perry Park bleachers

A timeline to remove a set of bleachers at Norm Perry Park has yet to be determined.

The bleachers were damaged when they were struck by a vehicle October 26.

Sarnia's Communications Manager Steve Henschel said they've been cordoned off at the Exmouth Street park since.

"They are taped off right now as a safety precaution," said Henschel. "Obviously we don't want anybody going out on them and, on that safety front, we had a contractor on site examining them, preparing for removal."

The old bleachers buckled on the far left side when the vehicle smashed into them.

"We're still waiting for a quote and a timeline from that contractor, but the plan is basically to have those damaged bleachers removed as soon as possible."

The bleachers at Sarnia's Norm Perry Park taped off. November 1, 2022 Photo by Melanie Irwin The bleachers at Sarnia's Norm Perry Park taped off. November 1, 2022 Photo by Melanie Irwin

Henschel said plans were already in the works to update the park.

"We're kind of in the preliminary stages, you'll see it in our draft budget, of looking at a new design for that park and putting some investments into it. So, the discussions surrounding how those bleachers will be replaced, would have to be folded within that larger context."

For now, Henschel said fans will have to sit elsewhere.

"There still are the other bleachers at the park, but I personally like to bring my own lawn chair. I have a pretty comfy one, so people are certainly welcome to do that."

No one was seriously injured in the crash.

The 33-year-old male driver was charged with driving while under suspension.

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