Wellington North has received a $10,000 grant from the County of Wellington’s accessibility fund to be put toward accessible projects at the Arthur splash pad.
On May 23 council received a letter from the county, dated March 26, explaining additional handicap parking, an accessible walkway and an inclusive playground apparatus qualified for the grant.
CAO Mike Givens said the Arthur Optimist Club is fundraising for the splash pad, but the township is assisting by installing the accessible parking and walkway.
Givens said he didn’t have a figure for the upgrades, but said the township expects the grant to cover the cost.
The Optimists have raised $95,000 of their $140,000 goal, said treasurer Nick Hansen, adding the club is still taking donations.
The Arthur splash pad is the newest addition to the Arthur Community Centre grounds, which already includes an arena, two ball diamonds, a pool, playground and pavilion. “This project is fantastic,” said councillor Steve McCabe.
Construction of the splash pad started on May 1. While the water park area is complete, Optimist committee member Steve O’Neill said there is still landscape work to be done. The group is working through test runs of the play area and hopes to have it fully operational by the grand opening on July 1.
