By summer’s end, Centre Wellington should have its second accessible playground in place.
On May 12 council gave the go-ahead for construction of the playground at Southridge Park in the south end of Elora.
“It’s a really good News story here,” said Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj.
She noted that following the construction of the Power of Play accessible play structure at Stait Park in Fergus, council had discussed the idea of a second play structure location.
“We know the Power of Play group spearheaded by Andy Speers has been fundraising for this project – allowing it to move forward at a faster pace,” Ross-Zuj said. “It looks like this one is coming to fruition.”
Managing director of community services Brian Detzler described the Stait Park playground as “a resounding success and a fabulous amenity for the community.”
In February, Speers attended the parks and recreation committee meeting to present a proposal to install a second accessible play structure similar in size and scope to the Stait Park structure.
Southridge Park was picked as the location because it is within a growing subdivision and adjacent to active youth sport fields, and is readily accessible by trail and roads.
Detzler’s report stated Power of Play’s financial commitment is 51% ($102,000) of the capital costs for the installation, estimated at a total of $200,000. To date the group has signed commitments totaling $66,322.
Centre Wellington, Power of Play and the Centre Wellington Rotary Club are currently working on a formal agreement to have the play structure named the Centre Wellington Rotary Club Accessible Playground and to formally document the club’s $50,000 commitment to the project as the main sponsor.
Centre Wellington will fund the remaining capital costs through the 2014 approved capital budget.
The process will likely be handled the same way as the Stait Park installation, which officially opened last summer.
Centre Wellington will front end the payments to suppliers hired by Power of Play and Power of Play will submit funds raised to the township.
Local contracting companies have committed to in-kind services for site preparation at the Southridge Park site.
Work related to the landscaping around the perimeter of the installation is the responsibility of Centre Wellington and is within its 2014 capital budget.
Officials are hoping for a mid-September opening of the park.
Councillor Fred Morris asked for clarification on the figures from his report.
He noted Power of Play is responsible for 51% per cent of the total cost and that there were signed commitments for $66,322 as well as a $50,000 commitment from the Centre Wellington Rotary Club.
“Is that (donation) part of the $66,000, or separate?” Morris asked.
Detzler responded the Rotary contribution is being considered as part of the $66,000 raised thus far.
He added the group remains confident it will have the remaining funds in place prior to the start of construction, based on verbal commitments.
