With warmer weather promising summer, plans for the grand opening of Campbell River’s Splash Park are well underway.
“June 15 has been set as the grand opening date for the Splash Park, and we can hardly wait,” says Patricia Gagnon, past president of the Rotary Club of Campbell River. “The Splash Park is another great example of community partners working together to provide a welcome addition to our city that people of all ages can enjoy.”
The project was led by the Rotary Club of Campbell River, and funding was provided by TELUS ($123,200), the Rotary Club of Campbell River ($120,000), Daybreak Rotary ($40,000) the Campbell River Professional Firefighters Association ($20,000) and the City’s Parks Parcel Tax ($75,000). The Splash Park is also supported by in-kind donations from a number of local businesses. City funds will pay for annual operating costs ($30,000).
City staff are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that all the final touches for the Splash Park at Willow Point Park will be ready for the grand opening, including new washrooms. Washroom facilities near the Splash Park will be located in their own building and designed to look similar to the Sportsplex building.
“The facilities will be right next to the Splash Park and fully accessible, with four family-style washroom/change rooms that will offer a toilet, wash basin, change tables and change area with bench and hooks,” says Lynn Wark, the City’s parks project supervisor.
The washrooms are being built by local contractor K&L Spooner Contracting. The $142,000 project is funded by Campbell River’s Parks Parcel Tax (a fee charged to each City property to provide dedicated funding to parks improvements).
What else is happening at the Splash Park site this week?
Water and electricity is being connected from the splash pad to the washroom building area
Electricity is being connected to service two Splash Park lights
Rubber surfacing is being installed on the tot bay of the splash pad.
There will be no charge for access to the park, and the free fun will be divided into three sections: one for families, one for teens and one for toddlers. The Splash Park will include a fire hydrant and hose element and will feature Campbell River’s marine heritage, including a fishing pole with salmon attached and a whale body and tail. The mega soaker, a first in B.C., will be a bowl full of water that fills and spills – will be a killer whale.