NIAGARA FALLS – The City has decided to purchase Firemen’s Park from the Stamford Centre Volunteer Firefighters Association.

City politicians approved the purchase at Tuesday night’s council meeting as members of the organization looked on. At a purchase price of $900,000, the City will take over ownership of the 105-acre park in the city’s north end. The City will then lease the park back to the SCVFA for a nominal fee for the next 99 years and the SCVFA will continue to maintain the park on behalf of the city.

Last December, council had authorized staff to make the purchase offer. A clause in the purchase agreement ensures the park will not be lost to developers. Council had been criticized for not purchasing Optimist Park when it had the chance. A mixed residential and retail development is now being built on that property.

“This is a great agreement for both parties. When we lost Optimist Park, a lot of us felt like we had to be proactive,” Coun. Victor Pietrangelo, who spearheaded the drive to purchase the park, said.

SCVFA president Pat Perry welcomed the move.

“It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” he said. “The land will be protected for everyone to enjoy it.”

He said the association is a group that believes strongly in putting the community first.

“It’s that type of group,” he said. “Every penny we raise goes back into the park and the community.”

Under the agreement, the City will also provide the SCVFA with a $20,000 yearly for maintenance of the park.

Mayor Jim Diodati called the agreement “something that is bigger than all of us.

No matter what happens, no one can change this deal.”

“This is a very historic day,” Coun. Wayne Thomson added. “This has prevented the same thing that happened in Optimist Park.”

The money to purchase the property will come from the City’s Special Purpose Reserve (Surplus Land Sales) while the $20,000 for maintenance has already been incorporated into the 2014 operating budget.

The agreement also includes a clause calling for the park to retain the name Firemen’s Park “in perpetuity.” Funds derived from the sale will also allow the SCVFA complete work on a building on the property that the group will use for meetings and special events held at the park throughout the year.

The building will become property of the city should the firefighters group disband

At present, the City leased and maintained two areas at the park which were home to the leash-free dog park and the playground. The City will continue to maintain those two areas.