Battleford residents to weigh in before council decides on $260K spray park

“I would lean on before we spend a quarter of a million dollars in a year when we’re spending [$4.3-million] on a hockey rink. I think we want to make sure we’re building the right thing at the right time. “

Administration recommended the north end of 35th Street Park as the preferred location because existing water, sewer and power infrastructure would make it the most cost-effective option. A second site near the Alex Dillabough Centre was also identified but would require additional servicing.

(Image Credit: Town of Battleford)

Coun. Shelley Boutin-Gervais said she supports adding a spray park as another recreational amenity for local families.

“I would like to see a spray park come to the town, as it would bring just one more amenity that for a town that would be another good place to live and raise your kids, and just another thing for the residents to be able to use during the summer,” she said.

Not all councillors agreed on where the facility should go.

Coun. Judy Pruden said she believes the Alex Dillabough Centre site could draw more visitors to Battleford because of its central location and nearby businesses.

“McDonald’s is coming, and Tim Hortons is there. And if we happen to have splash park there, and there are some picnic tables now, it would give people a reason to stop and get out of time and come and see all our other amenities,” she said.

Coun. Clayton Lazar said nearby residents should also be considered if council eventually chooses 35th Street Park.

“They already have a park in that area, and a lot of them will back that park. So now, if we’re adding more foot traffic to that area, it might not be taken very well by some of the residents out there,” he said.

“I hope our administration is very mindful if we do decide to go on 35th Street.”

Administration said no public consultation has yet been conducted on either the need for a spray park or its location. Along with the survey, council directed staff to prepare additional infrastructure cost estimates for the Alex Dillabough Centre option before returning with recommendations.

Administration estimates a medium-sized spray park would cost about $260,000 to build. The town has already set aside $157,400 toward the project, while the Rotary Club of the Battlefords continues fundraising to help offset construction costs.

Administration will return to council with the public consultation results and updated cost information before councillors decide whether to proceed with construction.

While delaying a decision on the spray park, council did approve another recreation improvement by purchasing a new set of aluminum bleachers for O’Driscoll Field at the Battleford Flats.

The $14,159 purchase is about $4,100 over the amount originally budgeted. Administration said Sport Systems Canada submitted the lowest compliant bid after the town sought quotes from several suppliers. The bleachers will complement two existing aluminum seating areas at the feature softball diamond, the busiest field at the Flats.

Leslie said the ongoing improvements are already being noticed by visitors.

“[At] the U11 tournament….we got a lot of compliments about the facilities last week,” he said.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Battleford residents to weigh in before council decides on $260K spray park

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