Mapleton staff will meet with proponents of a proposed splash pad in the new year in order to clarify the project’s status.
The splash pad was initially proposed by the Rotary Club of Drayton and Mapleton council supported the project in principle at the Jan. 28, 2014 meeting based on a parks and recreation committee recommendation.
In an update provided to the recreation committee on Oct. 5, CAO Brad McRoberts reported preliminary estimates place the total cost of the project at between $100,000 and $200,000.
McRoberts noted the Rotary Club and Drayton Kinettes have raised about $10,000 and hope to have the project completed in 2017. A splash pad was also among the list of projects recommended for the township’s 50/50 funding program by the parks and recreation committee at the Oct. 5 meeting.
Councillor Michael Martin suggested at the Dec. 8 meeting that communication is needed to determine where the project stands.
“I know there’s a resolution of previous council that supports, philosophically, the creation of the splash pad,” said Martin.
“But in the new year, I would like to sit down with some of these groups that are raising money – if we could all get on the same page here – there’s a lot of external issues coming up whether it’s wastewater allocation or whether it’s cost … so we’d kind of have an idea of the vision perhaps, rather than this motion that’s kind of sitting out there in theory.”
Councillor Marlene Ottens agreed, stating, “I think it’s easier to raise money for something that’s tangible, rather than an abstract concept.”
McRoberts offered to set up a meeting between staff and splash pad proponents and bring a report back to council.
McRoberts’ earlier report raised questions about the size of the project and volume of water to be used. The report indicated the annual cost of the operation for a splash pad in Owen Sound is about $17,758.
“This cost is for water only as the water is then treated on site (de-chlorinated) and discharged to the harbour. If it was discharged to the sanitary (sewer system) the cost would at least double,” stated the report.
“This could mean an operating cost of $15,000 to $35,000 per year depending on overall size, level of use, volume of water used, and point of discharge.”
The report indicates the Rotary Club is not prepared to fund operational costs.
“Currently, without additional water or wastewater capacity this project cannot be supported,” the report indicates.
However Martin pointed out an article (in the Community News) published last June indicated a splash pad operated by the Town of Minto in Palmerston generates, on average, only about $1,500 in monthly operating costs, including repairs and maintenance, water, hydro and staff time.
He asked McRoberts if information on costs could be obtained from comparable local municipalities. McRoberts indicated the recreation committee made a similar request and the information gathering process is already underway.
