A concept of the North Shore Park Splash Pad, endorsed by Saugeen Shores Council at the June 13 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Hub Staff
The proposed Splash Pad at North Shore Park in Port Elgin received council’s endorsement during the Committee of the Whole, June 13. Following the approval, Splash Pad committee member Amy Shute said she and the rest of the fundraising committee in attendance were extremely pleased.
“After two years and a lot of work on everybody’s behalf, I think we’re extremely happy and can go home and relax a little bit,” said Shute.
The total capital required for the aquatic playground sits at $362,021.23, with $75,000 being a proposed instalment from the Town.
When addressing council during Committee of the Whole, Shute, along with fellow Spash Pad Committee member Alanna Davidson, said they have achieved 53 percent of their fundraising goal.
As of June 12, pledged and confirmed financial contributions are as follows:
$100,000 - Port Elgin Lions Club
$50,000 - Splash Pad Fundraising Committee
$50,000 - Bruce Power
$20,000 - Society of Energy Professionals
The committee hopes to have their financial goal of $557,500 met by spring 2017, to build in time for a July 1, 2017 opening, coinciding with Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations. The hope is that this will allow for potential grant opportunities. The group’s fundraising goal of $557,500 is in case grants are not available.
“We’re continuing our fundraising into the fall. And we’re looking now more towards corporate asks now that we have council approval and also community asks as well,” Shute said.
After working closely with Town staff following council’s recommendations in December, (See: Support and concerns expressed for proposed Splash Pad) North Shore Park seemed the best fit for the aquatic project, that will feature over 20 nature themed water features, with the Park gaining additional upgrades, totalling $130,450, that are included in the capital cost. These include:
$4,750 - Parking Lot
$30,700 - Access Trails to Splash Pad
$40,000 - Washroom Improvements
$15,000 - Water and Electrical Connections
$40,000 - Landscaping (including Railway fencing for safety)
Although admitting that a Splash Pad is a great activity for kids to enjoy, Vice Deputy Mayor Diane Huber took issue with the North Shore Park location and, along with Councillor Don Matheson, was one of only two votes against the endorsement, during the Committee of the Whole.
“I can’t support this because of the location,” Huber said. “We have a Splash Pad, it’s called Lake Huron.” Huber brought up that North Shore Park is an environment for many animals to call home and didn't want to see things pushed back. “I’m not convinced that a Splash Pad belongs in that kind of environment.”
She continued, “It’s not an easy place to walk to from anywhere where a lot of people live in Port Elgin or Southampton... there’s a big hill there so for somebody who has a couple of kids and stroller and maybe a wagon, that’s a tough haul," Huber said, adding that it will likely mean people will drive to the park. "I question the ability for us to accommodate appropriate safety when parking in an already congested area,” she stated.
Following Councillor Grace and Menage’s admitted approval of the Splash Pad, Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau said that it was important to note that there was due diligence with regard to the North Shore Park decision.
“Ultimately any location is going to have its drawbacks and benefits and I think one of the big benefits of locating it down there at North Shore Park is it goes towards building that major attraction that that whole area ought to be, is, and once was,” Charbonneau said.
The Splash Pad Fundraising Committee is hoping to raise $10,000 to $15,000 from its next endeavour, the second annual Lake Huron Children’s Festival taking place July 9. The event will feature Splash’N Boots, a well known Canadian music duo. So far 600 tickets have been sold.
See: The second annual Lake Huron Children’s Festival almost here
A concept of the North Shore Park Splash Pad.