Township council wants more information before deciding on a request to help fund the cost of installing water and electrical services to a new splash pad planned for construction in ABC park this spring.
Splash pad committee members Erica Klaassen and Lorrie Spaling asked council to assist with the costs of running water and electrical services from the road to the splash pad during a project update at the March 27 meeting.
At the time, public works director Sam Mattina said the committee and township staff were getting prices for the work, which Mattina estimated at between $15,000 and $20,000. Council directed staff to investigate the cost of the work and report back.
In a report to council, committee members noted they had raised $90,000 toward the project, with more fundraising yet to come.
In April, the committee announced the Drayton Kinette and Rotary Clubs were successful in securing $150,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in order to purchase and install splash pad equipment.
At the May 8 meeting, Mattina reported that two quotations for the project had been received, with the lowest coming in at $31,060 and the higher quote at $36,255, both excluding HST.
A recommendation to accept the lower quote was deferred at the suggestion of councillor Michael Martin.
“I’d love to have further consultation with the committee to see where they’re at with their financials,” said Martin.
“It’s a fairly significant chunk that we haven’t budgeted.”
Councillor Marlene Ottens expressed concern a delay could impact the project completion date.
“I’d like to see it happen this summer,” she stated.
Mattina pointed out the end of May is the target to begin construction on the project, with a goal of completion in early July.
“So councillor Ottens is correct. Time is of the essence,” said Mattina, who pointed out there is money in a parks reserve fund that could be directed to the project.
At Mayor Neil Driscoll’s suggestion council agreed they could set a special meeting to deal with the issue in a timely fashion.
Council deferred the recommendation to accept the quotation and set a special meeting for May 15 at 7pm to meet with the committee.
Discussion and direction on the township’s water tower project will also be on the special meeting agenda.
