If Monday's Orangeville Council meeting was any indication, the Baywinds Centre and the Rotary Skate Park continue to be contentious issues within the community.

Baywinds aims to provide shelter for disadvantaged individuals in the community who, under normal circumstances, could end up homeless. The skate park was installed as an area for the town's Tony Hawk wannabes to hone their skills.

In the case of Baywinds, a number of people who live in the vicinity of the former motel at 236 First Street attended the council meetings to air their concerns.

They had presented Council with a petition asking if Baywinds was in accordance with zoning bylaws. They were also annoyed that, until last Saturday, a dilapidated motor home/trailer was parked on the property, and wondered whether it had the right to be there.

As for the zoning, town staff has determined that Baywinds is in compliance since it is considered a hotel, which means it falls within the parameters of the zoning in the area.

The residents in attendance, most of whom were from the Starrview Crescent/ Victoria Heights area, spoke of declining real estate values, a potential for violence, and possible misrepresentation.

"When we moved in five years ago," said one resident, "we were told (Baywinds) was a retirement community. It obviously is not and it has gone completely downhill."

Noting that young children, as well as seniors, occupy the centre with a cross-section of residents that includes clients of the local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, another resident likened Baywinds to a "slippery slope.

"We have a blend of people there that just don't blend together. Something serious is going to happen."

Mayor Rob Adams contended that the Baywinds management, which was not present at Monday's council meeting, is keen to resolve any issues the community may have.

"We've been working with them and (the management) seems to be making a concerted effort to work with the town.

At a previous council meeting, Mr. Adams says many Baywinds residents are "people falling through the cracks," and added that Baywinds fills a gap that the town can't.

At Monday's meeting, he told the area residents "we can't hide them in the corner. They need to be helped."

One resident commended Mr. Adams on his diplomacy, but hastened to mention that "maybe some one on council should live next to the facility. Maybe then they will be a little less diplomatic."

In the case of the Rotary Skate Park, council has been presented with complaints of excessively rowdy behavior and cars pulling in and out of the parking lot blasting their music and squealing their tires.

A nearby resident confined to a wheelchair complained that, on two occasions, her tires were blown out due to broken glass on the walkway.

"Trying to get through to the Zehrs lot is next to impossible between 3 p.m. and dark on school days and any time on weekends during the summer," she wrote in an e-mail to council. "Large numbers of youth block the way with zero consideration for those trying to get by, and I am often greeted with verbal slurs and insults."

Another resident expressed concerns about what he sees as a lack of supervision, and that knowledge that the park is to be used at one's own risk may not prevent the town from being open to civil liability should an accident occur.

Parks and Recreation director Sonya Pritchard says there was "considerable input" from both the town's legal counsel and insurance provider prior to the park being opened.

She also admits that there have been behavioural problems. "Although most of the youth using the park follow the rules and show respect for one another, there are several who create a very bad impression."

She added that many such parks across North America operate without supervision, but pointed out that Orangeville Police monitor the park as much as possible, and that Orangeville Council has passed a bylaw that allows police to charge anyone found in the park after 11 p.m. with trespassing.