A conservation group is scheduled to rally at the St. Louis County Council meeting on Tuesday to protest a new ice rink facility being built in Creve Coeur Lake Park.
The Open Space Council says the new ice facilities in Creve Coeur Lake Park that will include three indoor ice hockey rinks and an outside rink with a roof is not what residents want. Open Space Council Director Katherine Dockery said construction of the new ice facilities has not been properly approved by the National Park Service.
“Creve Coeur Lake Park is St. Louis County’s oldest and most popular park,” she said. “It was purchased with support from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which places restrictions that the land must be used for conservation and outdoor recreation purposes. Any change in use must first be approved by the National Park Service and approval must be granted. We are deeply disturbed that despite not having the necessary permissions, grading work and tree removal has already begun at the park.”
In addition to the rally, the St. Louis County Council is scheduled to perfect certain bills pertaining to retirement pension benefits.
Councilwoman Hazel Erby’s bill that would roll back the pension plan changes (that were approved without issue last November) is on the Council agenda for perfection, however, members could delay a vote on the matter.
The measure passed last fall for the adjustment pension funds was meant to improve benefit packages to retain quality employees. Erby and others are now voicing concerns that it was specifically crafted to benefit St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch.