Council has agreed the municipality will work with local citizens and a supplier to build a splash pad in Drayton’s ABC Park by early next summer.
At the Aug. 8 meeting, council authorized staff to work with the Mapleton Splash Pad Committee and Openspace Solutions Inc. to build the splash pad, at the budgeted cost of $226,755, plus applicable taxes.
While the township will act as purchaser on the project, the committee will contribute the bulk of the cost from fundraising efforts.
A staff report by public works director Sam Mattina notes the committee was awarded $5,000 from the municipality’s 50/50 project fund for 2017 and the group plans to apply for another $5,000 in 2018.
The municipality annually budgets $20,000 to split with community groups to fund projects.
The report indicates two proposed locations for the splash pad were discussed by the group and township: Kinsmen Park and ABC Park, both in Drayton.
“ABC Park was selected by township staff as the most logistically viable location to construct the splash pad,” states the report, noting consideration was given to parking availability, safety, and proximity to utilities (water source and wastewater discharge).
“The location of the pad was considered in determining the best serviceability options for its construction, and again ABC Park was chosen, as the pad can be installed adjacent to the existing volleyball court in the southeast corner of the park, allowing for ease of water service supply and water discharge requirement installations,” the report states.
“The post-construction operating costs and maintenance have also been considered and addressed through the use of state-of-the-art water features that consume minimal water and the safety features that are incorporated into the fixtures.”
Janet Elliott of Openspace Solutions told council the proposed design would require a maximum flow of 122 gallons per minute, although the park will normally run at 65 gallons per minute when features are sequenced to turn on individually. She also pointed out the park does not use water when not in active use.
“If nobody hits the buttons the park will stop running,” she explained.
Councillor Dennis Craven asked if a recirculation system had been considered to minimize water usage.
Elliott replied that would probably add about $100,000 to the capital cost of the project.
“It’s kind of like running your own small water treatment system,” she explained.
Operationally, the pad would require about 10 minutes a day of staff time to operate.
“Other than that, you turn it on in June and you turn it off in September,” Elliott stated.
Councillor Marlene Ottens asked if a rubberized, rather than concrete surface for the splash pad had been considered.
Elliott explained rubberized surfaces were generally selected more for aesthetic, than safety, reasons. She pointed out only about 10 per cent of splash pads are build with rubberized surfaces.
She also explained a rubber surface would need to be replaced in about 15 years, compared to 25 years for concrete.
“Splash pads are really low in terms of liability – injuries are typically skinned knees,” she stated.
Council approved and authorized staff to work with the committee and Openspace on the project.
Work on the splash pad is expected to commence in early 2018 and be completed by early summer of 2018, the staff report indicates.
The committee will be organizing a number of future fundraisers.
