Guelph-Eramosa council has awarded the Rockmosa splash pad project to a Toronto firm and it is now asking township residents and businesses for donations to help recover some of the $185,000 cost.
Council awarded ABC Recreation the contract for the work last month at a quoted price of $164,829.
The township received a $75,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the installation of a splash pad at Rockmosa park in Rockwood.
The township set aside $110,000 in this year’s budget to cover the remaining portion of the total cost of the $185,000 project.
Recreation Director Robin Milne told council it is reasonable that the splash pad could be complete and operational by June 30 to coincide with the end of the school year,”
A splash pad is an aquatic recreation system geared towards children that dumps, sprays, and pours water from various play apparatus
The splash pad uses a water recovery system that chlorinates and re-circulates water using a 2,000 litre reservoir.
According to Milne, Rockmosa was chosen as the location for the splash pad for several reasons, including:
– the ability to connect to water and hydro sources in the existing on-site building, which will also house the splash pad’s water treatment system;
– nearby Sports fields can maximize use of the splash pad, and an adjacent picnic shelter provides much needed shade;
– plenty of nearby parking, as well as on-site public washrooms and the location’s proximity to the library, day care centre, and community centre; and
– the location may attract people from the Rockwood conservation area and bring them through the downtown core.
Milne told council the remaining costs include landscaping, fencing, storage reservoir costs, building modifications, and an overflow catch basin.
But councillor Reta Moyer suggested last week there is no reason why the township should have to foot the entire bill of $110,000.
She suggested approaching local businesses and possibly even residents for help. She added anyone who donates towards the project could be recognized with a plaque at the park.
“I think we need to exhaust every possible avenue [to get some help],” Moyer said.
Mayor Chris White said he likes the idea of asking for donations for community projects, although it may be a little late in the process to seek donations for the splash pad itself, which needs to go ahead in less than two months.
He explained that he would like to have a local branch of a charitable organization such as the Guelph Community Foundation, which would allow the township to collect money for future projects such as a new medical centre.
Councillor Doug Breen said he likes Moyer’s idea, and noted that the township could still accept money after the splash pad is finished.
He told council one never knows what projects behind which the community will rally, and added that he has heard numerous positive comments about the plash pad.
Council eventually passed two resolutions by unanimous vote – one to award the project to ABC Recreation, and one declaring the township will seek corporate donations for the splash pad and also develop a donations policy for future projects.
Councillor Roger Knapp was absent.
