Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle

Should there be a “gurgler,” a sculpture or just seasonal plantings?

These were the options that Town council discussed Tuesday during its review of the new public park design on Fairview Road (south of the Coast Hotel).

Director of Operations Shawn Goodsell presented a report outlining the options, including three basalt column gurglers, a sculpture of some kind with seasonal plantings, or just seasonal plantings.

Council has also to decide on a name for the park, with options including Bridge Park and River Park. The idea of calling it Centennial Park was not favoured by any council member.

The approximate cost of these central park features are: $35,000 for the gurglers, $10,000 for the sculpture and plantings, and $500 for just the plantings.

Goodsell said the total cost of the project without a central feature is estimated at $156,000. Adding a central feature would increase the cost to approximately $200,000.

A pathway through the park will incorporate paving stones, Goodsell said.

The park will be funded through the park development cost charges reserve.

Goodsell said they hope to get the project out to tender in May, with a late summer construction schedule.

Goodsell told council there will be less grass in the new design, which will utilize existing xeriscaping.

Water councillor Rick Machial wanted to ensure that the well water used for a fountain feature will be recirculated.

“I don’t want to see wasted water when we are trying to conserve it.”

Mayor Martin Johansen said he didn’t agree with a water feature in the park.

“Having looked after water features in a couple of sites in the City of Kelowna, it was an operational nightmare.”

Johansen said he would like the opportunity to work with the Osoyoos Indian Band to consider a piece of artwork there, noting some of the First Nations sculptures are amazing.

The mayor also said he would prefer to see xeriscaping instead of plants. And he didn’t want to name the site Centennial Park, noting it should be something new. He also mentioned there should be some sort of lighting in the park at night.

Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said he liked the water fountain/sculpture idea. But he stated there needs to be more picnic benches on the site.

Fellow Councillor Petra Veintimilla said she liked the basalt water feature but was hoping they could incorporate the previous idea of utilizing salmon and the river.

She pointed out that any seating in the park should be in the shade.

Goodsell said they will be planting larger trees for shade, adding there will be an opportunity for people to donate some benches.

Councillor Dave Mattes said he sees the new park as a “flow-through” park to downtown.

But he’s not crazy about the idea of a water feature since fountains already exist across the road at the splash park. He noted his preference for a sculpture from the Indian band.

Mattes expressed some concern that the original price tag for the park was approximately $60,000, but now it’s up to $200,000.

Veintimilla acknowledged that the time spent on designing this park seems to be “dragging on” and is turning out to be more complicated than it should be.

But council proceeded with a motion to build the park with a central feature that includes water and lighting services, with additional picnic tables. The park’s name will be decided at a later date.