Members of the Southampton Rotary were in attendance during the committee of a whole meeting, July 25.

Megan Dunn

Southampton Rotary Club made a splash during the Saugeen Shores Committee of the Whole meeting July 25, where they earned, in principle, council’s approval to commence fundraising for a firefighting themed accessible splash pad to be constructed at Jubilee Park and operating by summer of 2017.

This will be the second splash pad for Saugeen Shores as the first one, organized by the Splash Pad Fundraising Committee and planned for Port Elgin’s North Shore Park, was approved during the June 13 Committee of a Whole meeting.

Rotarian Tony Sheard explained that both groups (Splash Pad Fundraising Committee and Southampton Rotary) have met and discussed how they both work together. He expressed Rotary’s long time association with the Lions Club, who are involved with the Port Elgin Splash Pad project. “Both projects are geographically separate, there is eight kilometres from North Shore Park and Southampton,” said Sheard July 25. “We’ve chosen a firefighting theme so it’s a completely different style of pad. It’s also linked to the accessible playground so I think there are a number of unique features about the Southampton one that differentiates the one at North Shore Park.”

Sheard explained there could be benefits made from competitive tendering. If both pads are constructed at the same time there would be lower freight charges with logistics and labour crews could simultaneously work at both sites, which would save money.

The fully accessible splash pad will be approximately 150 square metres and will have a capital cost of $150,000. The Southampton Rotary Club will also be applying for grants through the Enabling Accessibility Fund.

All councillors approved of the possibility of contributing $30,000 to the project that will be included in the 2017 budget.

Councillor Mike Myatt said, “I think if there’s two splash pads in the community, that’s a great thing.” He added that many municipalities have multiple pads with locations such as London and Oakville having “around 15”.

Councillor Dave Myette said it was “exciting” that the Southampton Rotary Club’s splash pad came in at $150,000, as opposed to the Port Elgin Splash Pad Committee’s project that has an estimated cost of $350,000. “I assume the majority of those savings are that you’re not going to have a tank, and use municipal water.” Myette expressed concern that the municipal water used would be too cold for the children that would use it. Sheard justified the use of municipal water, saying “it’s the most common method of sourcing a splash pad.” Sheard cited Walkerton as doing the same with theirs and quipped that after a hot weekend like the one Saugeen Shores residents just experienced, cold water would not be a problem for kids.

Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau fully supported the project and said he would support the capital contribution from the Town during 2017 budget talks.

Charbonneau brought up his admiration for the Southampton Rotary Club, saying, “there’s virtually nothing in the town of Southampton that Southampton Rotary doesn't have its hands on.” Past Rotary projects were highlighted many times, both through presentation and through council members who thanked the club for what they have done around Southampton. Past projects include: fundraising for the Jubilee Park, restoration of Pioneer Park, establishing and maintaining Perkins Park and fundraising for an accessible washroom, being the naming donor, for the Fairy Lake Pavillon.

During the open forum prior to Committee of the Whole, Operations Manager for PRANCE (Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians), Ann Veyvara-Divinski professed her approval and support, saying a splash pad in Southampton would provide an opportunity for children with needs to get wet and have fun just like everyone else. “It’s really amazing that those folks can walk around in there and have fun and play in the water and with the heat we’ve had recently it would be a real benefit to them just to cool down,” said Veyvara-Divinski, adding that a lot of folks with physical disabilities also have temperature regulation issues. “So it’s a chance for them just to be a kid or be an adult in kid’s clothing. It’s a real fun time to see a bunch of adults who have challenges just go and play in the water.”

The capital breakdown of the purposed Southampton Splash Pad is as follows: Supply, build and commission, $120,000; Landscaping, $5,000; Connect to water/drains/irrigation, $10,000; Connect to energy supply, $5,000; Fundraising, promotions, etc., $2,000; Contingency, $8,000.

Ann Veyvara-Divinski, spoke during the Open Forum July 25, on behalf of PRANCE (Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians), saying how the non-profit group supports the purposed Southampton Splash Pad.