Blind River council will consider the placement of Automated External Defibrillators at the town ball diamond for next year.
Discussion about defibrillators came to council from a request by a newly-formed senior baseball league being established in town.
Clerk-administrator Kathryn Scott brought the issue to the attention of council when it met Monday evening.
The request was made by Ian Ludgate on behalf of the senior league.
“We had our first informal practice today at the town field with a good turnout. I expect we’ll have at least 25 seniors ready to play by mid-May,” Ludgate said in the request to the town.
The league requested the town supply a “well-stocked” First Aid kit which has already been done, and AED and consider a safety screen to help protect the pitcher. Ludgate said priority for the league is the AED which could be used, if needed, by all ball players using the field.
“The Automated External Defibrillator is not a piece of equipment we have in stock and is not without a large cost, not only to provide, but to supply the power to the unit and conduct regular maintenance of the unit,” Scott said in a report to council.
She suggested a review of having AEDs at all municipal parks and facilities along with a report on costs be provided to council to develop a plan in next year’s budget.
Councillor Jim Dunbar said he welcomed the request and the fact a seniors’ league was being established.
Councillor Paula Summers also welcomed the news and the fact a plan will be developed for all costs associated with AEDs
“When we talked about it the last time there’s quite a cost involved as well as looking at power sources,” Coun. Summers said. “That’s why we need the extra time It’s not that we aren’t interested in doing it this year It takes a bit of time to put it together.”
A report will come to council at a later date.