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There will be some moving and shaking on the pier and pitches and runs batted in at the stadium in Dunkirk this summer.
The Dunkirk Common Council approved two requests for activities that will draw people to the city.
The first was a request from Section VI to use Promenschenkle Stadium for softball sectionals in May and June. The request asks the city to block off Wright Park Drive at Pine Street and Warsaw Street at the skate park entrance on May 25, May 30 and June 3 or May 26, May 31 and June 4 for rain dates.
"The last couple years they've had the playoffs down there, but this year they're having the Class C Far Western Regional, which is equivalent to what the Dunkirk Marauder Football Team did when they played their second game at the (New Era) stadium. This is a big deal. They want to come here and make it a permanent home," Second Ward Councilman Marty Bamonto said, also thanking John Sliwa and Al Gens for their efforts in this.
Sliwa said Section VI likes the location for it's central location between Erie County and southern Chautauqua County as well as for its lighting and lack of affiliation with NCAA, which comes with its own regulations.
"I was going to meet with Hector (Rosas) to create something to give back to the city, like a flyer, because we have so many people into the area that don't know what's going on in Dunkirk. We had Andover and Edmeston in two years ago and they were like, 'wow.' To have a flyer with all the events that are going on in this area would be a big PR push for Dunkirk,"
Hector Rosas, city coordinator of Festivals and Special Events, said he will have marketing packets made up to be sent to the six teams competing in the playoffs.
The council also approved a request from Sue Chaffee to hold free Zumba classes at the pier on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. in July and August.
Councilman-at-Large Andy Woloszyn worried about participants' safety and asked that the end of the pier be blocked off to traffic while the class was going on. Police Chief Dave Ortolano said the only conflict may be with the Fourth of July fireworks set up. It was agreed a letter would be set up with making Memorial Park available for that Saturday if necessary.
"It will be convenient because she will have more people to look and participate, of course. I think that the committee should get involved in the Zumba class participation," Third Ward Councilman Adelino Gonzalez jested.
The council also approved a bounce house for Terry Frazier for July 23 at Point Gratiot and accepted the donation of 32 hanging flower baskets from Revitalize Dunkirk's beautification committee.
The next meeting will be held April 4.