Warren Williams of the Rotary Club of the Battlefords at city council's meeting Monday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Partnership project

Rotary Club asks for city’s support for new Splash Park

Apr 25, 2023 | 2:08 PM

The Rotary Club of the Battlefords is looking for the City of North Battleford to partner with the service organization to build a new Splash Park.

Rotary Club board member Warren Williams made a presentation about the proposed project to council at Monday’s meeting.

He said the project will be a good celebration kick off to Rotary launching into its second centenary after serving 104 years in the Battlefords since starting here.

Williams said Rotary previously discussed the project with Living Sky School Division, which supported the project in principle. In the proposal, the Splash Park would be built beside Connaught Elementary School on Living Sky’s land.

Williams said the school division had concerns about liability, maintenance, and hours of operation, but he noted that these issues can be worked out quite easily.

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Rotary actually plans to build two Splash Parks , but for its presentation to the city it is focusing on the North Battleford project.

“Part of our mandate of our local Rotary club is to support the youth in our community,” Williams said.

He noted Connaught School seemed like a good site since there is a need for a project like this in that part of the city that is under-served.

The Splash Park could be built in the school’s large school-yard area.

Rotary will fund $200,000 of the cost over a three-year period. It is asking the city to contribute $100,000, either in funds or with in-kind services, for example.

Williams was optimistic Rotary could potentially fundraise its share in two years rather than three.

“We’re confident we can work together successfully like we have in the past,” he said. “We’re hopeful you will consider this request.”

Williams suggested starting with a design of the Splash Park, and looking at potential timelines to install it.

“I’m confident we can make this happen,” he said.

Council liked the idea of the project.

Coun. Kelli Hawtin said she supports the proposal to partner, in principle, and the proposed location “in a big way.”

Mayor David Gillan said he would like to see more details, but also was supportive of the idea for the project.

“For them [Rotary] to step up and say we want to help kids have more facilities, and work in partnership with the city, and the school division as well, we’re very proud of those partnerships, and welcome it,” he said.

City administration will come back to council with more information and a formal proposed resolution for council to consider.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow