Markdale Splash Pad Map (Image from Grey Highlands Council report)
Grey Highlands council is requesting staff bring forward a report on supporting a splash pad project in Markdale.
During a Feb. 15 meeting, council received a delegation from Chair of the Markdale Splash Pad Committee Shannon Iadinardi.
Iadinardi says splash pads have an inclusive and multigenerational design with water play areas for all age groups.
With plans for the splash pad having started in 2020, Iadinardi says adding an accessible splash pad to King Edward Park would significantly enhance and make Markdale more attractive to young families.
After considering the possibility of a pool instead, Iadinardi says based on the costs associated with it, a pool was deemed out of reach and have moved ahead with looking at the benefits of a splash pad in the community.
“We are proud to say that in less than one week, the businesses in Markdale collected over 718 signatures to support the project. We also have an online petition that was started in 2020 with 548 signatures of support,” says Iadinardi in a previously sent letter.
The committee is looking for council’s support for the project and authorize staff to set up a reserve fund to collect all donations, as part of their fundraising plan. Additionally, the committee is also requesting council authorize staff to work with them and other community groups to determine the best location for the project at the park. The committee also wants council to approve staff to work on obtaining government-funded grants for the project, while the group works on applying for all non-government grants.
“Our committee is really excited about obtaining and going after some of these grants. We have done a lot of research in the community around us in all of the municipalities to see how people got their splash pad projects done. There is so much opportunity for enhancement in our community through grants,” says Iadinardi.
The committee also proposes holding 50/50 raffle sales, bingo nights, paint nights, and bottle drives to raise money for the splash pad, while also relying on donors from major companies including Bruce Power, provincial police, Scotia Bank and BMO, and unions.
The cost of the project is just over $203,000.
Coun. Paul Allen proposed receiving the delegation for information and request staff to come back with a recommendation report, which was unanimously supported by council.