On a warm summer evening, as the sun was hanging low in the sky, the sound of children’s laughter and screams could be heard as the Mapleton Splash Pad was turned on for the very first time.
The community gathered on July 11 to celebrate the opening of the new water feature in ABC Park in Drayton.
“I was going to get excited to see like 20 people here, so this is crazy and amazing,” councillor Mike Martin said to a crowd of over 100 people at the opening.
“I’m just here to bring greetings on behalf of the mayor and Mapleton council and I just wanted to say congratulations.”
Four years in the making, the Mapleton Splash Pad was a joint effort between the Rotary Club of Drayton and Drayton Kinettes.
The Mapleton Splash Pad Committee consists of co-chairs Lorrie Spaling of the Rotary Club and Rachael LaForge of the Kinettes, along with Wanda Dobben, Paula Holzamer, Erica Klaassen and Lynne Canning.
“This has been quite an adventure,” LaForge said.
“I’m beyond thrilled that we’re standing here today, however we could not have done this without support in our community; our donors and sponsors, the township, our Kinette and Rotary clubs, of course Janet (Elliot) from Openspace and most of all the Mapleton Splash Pad Committee.”
Openspace Solutions Inc. built the splash pad for $226,755, plus tax. While the Township of Mapleton was the purchaser, the committee contributed the majority of the cost through various fundraising efforts.
“On behalf of the Rotary Club, I feel so blessed to live in a community where we are so much supported by everybody,” Spaling said.
“This has been a long journey, but it’s been one that is so worthwhile and we did this for the kids and for everybody … so we hope you all enjoy it.”
