If you’re a business owner or citizen who intends on making a donation – in cash or in-kind services – to the new Osoyoos Splash Park, it’s crucial to get that donation in as quickly as possible if a new deadline to have the park open by the August 1 Civic holiday long weekend is to become a reality.
Gerald Davis, the town’s director of community services, was asked by members of council two weeks ago to prepare a report detailing strict timelines for the splash park at Jack Shaw Gardens to be able to open as quickly as possible.
Mayor Stu Wells and members of council were not happy with a previous staff report which indicated the park would only be able to open by the middle of August.
During a presentation Tuesday to members of town council, Davis said the park can open by August 1 only if an $82,000 shortfall to install all of the equipment being ordered for the splash park is in place. Only $30,000 of the projected $112,000 budget for the installation costs has been accounted for.
That’s why it’s critical that corporate and private donations be forwarded as quickly as possible, said Davis.
A community raffle that will raise $10,000 for the splash park hasn’t been accounted for yet and numerous local businesses that have indicated a desire to make cash donations or provide services in-kind will hopefully make up the rest of the projected shortfall, said Davis.
“The only thing holding us back is the money for the installation costs,” said Davis.
If council was confident the majority of the $82,000 would be forthcoming, council would have the option of “fronting” the money from reserve funds and then replace it once the community fundraising initiative is completed, said Davis.
The good news is numerous timelines from various key stakeholders have been moved up, which would make the goal of opening as quickly as possible very realistic, said Davis.
The water works permit has been issued by Interior Health that gives the town the authority to move ahead with the infrastructure to develop the water hook ups at the splash park with the town’s existing waterline, he said.
True Engineering is in the process of designing the waterworks infrastructure component with the projected completion date being May 24.
True Engineering is also working with Penticton’s Rec Tech Industries Ltd. to acquire the permit from Interior Health and begin construction and construction should only take seven or eight days, said Davis.
Interior Health representative Wayne Radomske said the Osoyoos Splash Park project has been given “top priority” and the projected dates for engineering drawings to be forwarded to Interior Health is May 31.
The permits to complete surrounding support services such as washrooms, drinking fountains and fencing are also in place and should be completed on time, said Davis.
Construction of the concrete pad and equipment installation is now scheduled for completion by July 15.
Some of the donated items from generous community businesses include labour associated with concrete work, pump truck rentals, electrical, plumbing, steel fencing, hotels and on-site storage, said Davis.
The projected date of equipment delivery is now July 8 with projected completion by July 19.
If everything falls into place, the park could now open on August 1.
Wells said all donations to this project are very much appreciated and will come with a tax deductible receipt from the town.
Once construction begins, Davis said the town “has to be careful” that everything donated and installed by local businesses and volunteer workers is done properly in relation to warranties and liability issues.
The next meeting of the Osoyoos Splash Park committee is scheduled for June 5. Members of town council have agreed to hold a special meeting following that meeting to discuss where the project stands at that point in time.
