Mission is one step closer to getting a new community spray park.
Council resolved to spend $2,776,000 from the Forestry Legacy Reserve to build the first phase of a spray park at 9104 Emiry St., finalize detailed designs and initiate construction.
Coun. Danny Plecas and Coun. Carol Hamilton voted against the motion while Mayor Paul Horn was absent from the meeting.
Plecas had concerns with moving forward with a spray park in the area before the completion of nearby development.
“I’ve been asked to commit a sizable amount of money out of the [forestry] fund to work on a park we really haven't… seen the whole picture in the community and it really concerns me,” Plecas said.
“I know it's important to put a spray park in that community but the reality is it's used for a short period of time during the course of the year that you're going to commit that kind of dollars, but we have other parks and other needs in this community that have yet to be serviced properly nand that's my concern.”
At the May 21 meeting, council voted 6-1 to advance to the detailed design phase for the spray park on Emiry Street, with Plecas opposed.
According to a staff report, the total cost of the project would amount to $4,276,000. The spray park itself comes with a $2,100,000 price tag, with an additional $1,300,000 for site preparation and $876,000 for amenities.
The project already has $1.5 million in provincial funding allocated via the Growing Communities Fund in 2023.
Per the report, an estimated $30,300 per year is expected to be included in the 2025 operating budget for a part-time seasonal labourer to maintain the park.
Council also asked city staff to explore opportunities for corporate sponsorship to help offset the cost of construction.
“I think if there's an opportunity that we can get more benefits for our residents through corporate sponsorship, [that would be] something I'd be interested in,” Coun. Mark Davies said.
The project was previously dubbed a “destination” spray park, but council demonstrated an appetite to lose that from the name.
"When we talk about corporate sponsorships, I'm hoping that a corporate sponsor does come along and say, 'Hey, we want naming rights' for a large chunk of money," Coun. Jag Gill said.
Phase one of the project would include a water play area featuring water cannons, dump buckets, recirculation and disinfection systems. Plumbing, electrical and concrete work would be required. Amenities will include three bike racks, eight steel benches, restroom/change areas, two covered shelters, and five waste collection containers.
The first phase also focuses on a 30-lot parking area and walking paths, while other amenities will be designed and constructed during phase two.
"I envision — whether it be new basketball courts added or other amenities — it's not just a spray park," Coun. Angel Elias said.
According to the report, the Emiry Street site will need to be prepared by cutting down trees, grubbing the property and implementing water, sewer, storm, and electrical services.
Delays in servicing the area by neighbouring developers will also impact the opening of the park.
“The ability to service the spray park is dependent on upgraded services being brought along Emiry Street, While engineering design is currently underway, the timing of when the services will be constructed is currently unknown although it is hoped they will be in place by spring 2025,” the report reads.
