Splash pad blossoms into Community Gathering Garden
Ideas for a splashpad in Markdale have grown since first presented to council, and so has community support.
“This is an opportunity to bring the community together through recreation,” the splashpad committee chair told council last week.
In answer to her request, council asked staff to work with the committee on a Memorandum of Understanding, that would also include a location.
The splashpad idea first came to council about a year-and-a-half ago, said committee chair Shannon Iadinardi.
The group has raised its fundraising goals, and expanded its vision.
The plan now also includes memorial trees for shade, with benches and permanent games tables for chess and ping-pong, with needed equipment at the library. The plan is for an all-ages and accessible spot.
Ms Iadinardi told council that King Edward Park is the perfect location, even though the municipality has not yet embarked on a proposed park plan.
The park is already home to the library, a playground, ball park and basketball court, so is a natural location, she said, and is walkable for much of town.
She said that the Ag Society, the Markdale library, Markdale Recreation Committee, the owners of the neighbouring Big Kids brewery, and the seniors apartments have all supported the location.
“All user groups feel this is the ideal plan,” she said.
ROAD BLOCK
The group presented council with its road map, and Ms Iadinardi said they had hit a road block on the second step – approval of the location and a detailed agreement with the township.
Council took some time to consider whether a location could be identified at this stage.
Coun. Nadia Dubyk noted the progress made by the committee. She asked if the location had to be where the group had specified, or whether another location might work.
Without knowing the location or the area that might be available, the committee has hit a roadblock, Ms Iadinardi said.
Coun. Tom Allwood thanked the committee for the good work that it’s doing. A staff report on an MOU would allow things to move forward.
“If you’re going out to fund-raise, having a shovel-ready project with the appropriate drawing in place… will make the chances of success,” he said.
PROJECT FUNDING
Grants and fundraising can follow that, she said. The fundraising goal is $250,000, and the presentation named different sponsors and grants the group will approach.
The committee has an idea to do an eight-foot wide pathway leading into the splashpad, engraved with donor’s names. It was done in Tara.
Grey Highlands was also asked to pledge $100,000 over several years to support the project. She said if fundraising goes well, that amount might be less.
The group has already hosted three fundraising events and has offers of in-kind support valued at $40,000.
“The community has showed great enthusiasm for our project, and is eagerly to see our project come to light,” said Ms Iadinardi.
CLARIFY COSTS
She said she wanted to clear up confusion caused by costs of other splashpad projects mentioned at council in the past. Both Shelburne and Collingwood have added aspects, such as washrooms, that the Markdale project does not include.
Arran-Elderslie has put in three splashpads, well within Markdale’s proposed budget.
The committee has been working to reduce the cost and is confident the project can be completed at $249,000.
The splashpad in Tara is very similar, and the Markdale committee will forward the operating costs for that installation to the municipality.
She listed responsibilities to be covered in a memorandum of agreement, proposing the committee would manage the project and procurement, be the fundraising champion and provide financial oversight.
The committee proposes the municipality approve the site, support fundraising and manage application to the government.
Going into the future, the committee asks that the municipality operate and maintain the space and splash pad.
The Mayor suggested that a staff report would be the next step. Mayor Paul McQueen also suggested there could be a public design meeting to get ideas.
Coun. Joel Loughead thanked the group for its hard work. “I know you guys are diligent and you’ve been at it a long time – and it looks better than ever,” he said.
Coun. Loughead said that the question was a reminder that the municipality needs to move forward on a plan for the park.
Council has already supported the project in principle.
This will be a gem for Markdale, Coun. Dubyk said, and the municipality will work with the committee.
M.T. Fernandes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Flesherton Advance
