Winnipeg, MB - A ground-breaking ceremony today officially launched the construction for a new spray pad and playground being added to the Sturgeon Heights Community Centre site Deanne Crothers, MLA for St. James and Scott Fielding, City Councillor for St. James-Brooklands announced today.
"Outdoor facilities like spray pads and play structures are a safe way for children of all ages to enjoy healthy games in the fresh air and use their imagination, away from television and video games," said Crothers, who was speaking on behalf of Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux. "Provincial support of recreational sites like the Sturgeon Heights Community Centre play area clearly demonstrates the importance we place on encouraging individuals and families to stay active and keep fit."
"The addition of the spray pad and a new playground at this well-utilized community centre in the heart of St. James provides a safe, healthy and fun outdoor play environment for our community's youth," said Councillor Fielding, speaking on behalf of Mayor Sam Katz. "As the City continues to invest in more outdoor spray pad facilities, they are fast becoming the hottest spots in town where families gather to stay cool during warm summer days."
The projects include a new spray pad with 14 in-ground and 10 above ground spray features, benches, picnic tables and pathways, a new pump and filtration system building and a re-circulation and water treatment system for enhanced water conservation and sustainable operation. The new play structure will meet City of Winnipeg universal design standards.
Funding for the spray pad includes $300,000 from the Building Communities Initiative II (BCI II) Phase One which is shared equally between the province and city, and $359,000 from the Manitoba-Winnipeg Recreation and Leisure Infrastructure Program which is shared 60/40 between the province and city. The play structure is funded with $125,000 from BCI II Phase Two funding.
Spray pads have been used in the City of Winnipeg for the past five years and have proven to be very popular destinations. The City of Winnipeg currently operates 12 spray pads.
The Sturgeon Heights playground project is one of 38 BCI II Phase Two projects approved since March 2013. The BCI II is a multi-year, cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg to support community revitalization through improvements to local infrastructure in targeted older neighbourhoods and contribute to the vitality, safety and health of communities throughout the city.
Phase One of BCI II provided a total of $10 million between 2010 and 2013. Of the 38 approved projects under the first phase, 34 have been completed, with the remaining four to be completed by spring 2014. Projects included improving athletic fields, playgrounds and structures, splash pads, lighting, seating, pathways in parks, upgrades and the expansion of community centres.
Please click here for a rendering of the spray pad.