Members of the Port Elgin Splash Pad Committee, Port Elgin Lions Club and a number of tiny splash pad enthusiasts helped Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith cut the ceremonial ribbon under a ballon arch created by the Main Event, at the Port Elgin Splash Pad Grand Opening June 29.
Hub Staff
The grand opening celebration for the Port Elgin & District Lions Club Splash Pad kicked off the summer season. On June 29, just ahead of the Canada Day long weekend, members of the fundraising committee along with their families, donors, dignitaries and members of the public gathered to celebrate the opening on June 29.
The occasion was marked with cake, refreshments and activation of the splash pad.
Splash Pad Committee member Amy Shute said she was excited for the splash pad to be completed for many reasons, the biggest of which was seeing happiness on the kids’ faces. “It’s really special to see so many community members support the project tonight - and all through the project,” she said, adding that when times it was amazing to see so many community members behind them.
Shute called the committee an “incredible group of women that gave really the last three years of their spare time to make this happen” and said that although a break is in order, she suspects they’re not entirely sworn off volunteering.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith said it was a great day in Saugeen Shores. “We get to open a new community project,” he said. “It’s things like this that make our community what it really is.”
The fully accessible splash pad will be open, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from late June through Labour Day, and on the weekend in mid June and September.
The Port Elgin & District Lions Club Splash Pad features 18 water features, in three separate zones for children of varying ages and abilities. The water runs on four minute cycles with a water refill station being installed later this summer near the washrooms, sponsored by Eastlink.
The washrooms will also be renovated to include family change pods.
The committee, which came with a fundraising goal of $362,000, has, to date, raised 90 percent, with donations still coming in. The committee expects to reach 100 percent later this year.
The first children to enjoy the Port Elgin Splash Pad during the Grand Opening June 29 at North Shore Park in Port Elgin.
Four year old Hayley Stefanich presented Splash Pad Committee member Amy Shute with a Thank You card for all of her hard work.
Katie Lutz, owner of Smiths’ Apples and Farm Market, Splash Pad donor, was getting into the water action with her daughter Coraline.
Many happy faces exploring all that the Splash Pad has to offer June 29 at the Grand Opening cermony.
