Skip to content

County contributes $100,000 to splash park project

23822ponokasplashpark4998
Ponoka County recently donated $100

By Jasmine Franklin

With a recent $100,000 contribution to the Splash Park Project from Ponoka County, the reality of a splash park is approaching quickly.

Children can soon look forward to splashing around in a spray park located right inside town and organizer committee member, Barry Neath, said July 1, 2011 is the target date for the grand opening of the park.

“Ponoka will become a destination because of this project,” Neath said. “This will be a really good thing for Ponoka and it’s going to happen soon.”

A partnership between the Ponoka Kinettes, Kinsmen and Lions Club raised $100,000 for the project and with the recent contribution from the county, total funding sits at $200,000.

The committee plans to apply for provincial grants to help with costs but contributions from the community will be a necessity for the remaining $250,000 needed.

Neath said equipment costs are $200,000 and installation costs are $250,000. After the splash park is up and running, the town will be responsible for maintenance and operation costs.

“The County will be responsible for the preliminary work on the base of the splash park while the town will be looking after the utilities side of things such as water, sewer and electrical work to the site,” Neath said.

The park will be located north of the new visitors centre along Highway 2A in Centennial Park and will use a re-circulating water system using chlorination and filters enabling economical use of water supply.

“It’s all about community,” said Gordon Svenningsen, Reeve. “What better way than this to attract people to our community. If we want people to come to Ponoka we need these facilities.”

The splash park committee will be distributing letters to businesses in efforts to better explain the project and collect donations. Businesses that choose to donate will be recognized as platinum, gold, silver, bronze and friends of the park donators.

Mervin Hitchcock of the Lions Club said eventually donation boxes will be dispersed throughout select businesses in town.

A barbeque was held March 20 by the Kinettes for fundraising and a “Golf Ball Drop,” held by the Lions Club will take place July 18 with tickets priced at $10.

For more information contact Neath at (403) 783-7410.