Woolwich wants to get a handle on costs – operating, maintenance and eventual replacement – before backing anymore recreational facilities. The latest under consideration is a combination splash pad/ice rink proposed for Gibson Park in Elmira.
While not unsupportive of the plan offered up by the non-profit Kate’s Kause organization, councillors meeting this week felt there were too many unanswered questions to provide a blanket endorsement.
As with similar projects, from the Kate’s Place playground already established in Gibson Park to a splash pad planned for Breslau, the township would provide the land, take over ownership and assume all future costs. Given the higher costs associated with the winter ice surface proposed for this latest project – refrigeration equipment would be installed – and concerns about future replacement costs of a growing inventory of facilities, councillors are looking for more information.
“As projects come forward, it’s great for the community to pitch in, but 20 years from now when we want to replace them, who’s going to pay for that? We need to get a replacement-cost program in place,” suggested Coun. Mark Bauman.
While the money is raised in one community, all Woolwich residents pay for the operating costs and future replacement through general tax coffers, he noted.
Coun. Larry Shantz, too, expressed concerns about the expenses related to new facilities.
“It’s the ongoing costs to operate these things. This one in particular is going to be fairly high dollars to operate on an annual basis.”
He suggested community groups raising money for such projects look at collecting more than just the capital costs, with an eye to establishing a fund to cover future costs such as replacement.
In this case, the project is estimated at $600,000. The Woolwich Recreational Facilities Foundation (WRFF) already has a commitment for $200,000 in funding, with the potential for $150,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The splash pad portion is expected to cost about $8,000 a year to operate, while the winter ice rink is expected to be the larger expense at up to $43,000 a year if the refrigeration unit is used steadily during a particularly mild winter – electricity costs are estimated at a wide range of $3,000 to $8,000 a month.
“The operating costs may look a little scary, but I’m sure you realize that $43,000 per year would only apply if you were building it in Florida. Refrigeration, with our winters, will cost you very little,” said Ruby Weber of the WRFF
She was joined by Kelly Meissner of Kate’s Kause, who called the project an ideal extension of the current amenities in Gibson Park. The accessible playground has already become a favourite of local families and people from out of town, she said.
“People are looking for a splash pad. That expectation is out there. That’s kind of always been the expectation,” said Meissner, saying the extra services would add to the “one-stop shopping for parents.”
Gibson Park is a destination, where families can spend the whole day using the facilities, she added.
