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Smithers Splash Pad Society seeks town council's approval

Council defers request pending a staff report
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The splash pad in Terrace. (Marisca Bakker/The Interior News)

Smithers council is still not completely on board with the idea of a splash pad or spray park in town, but the local society formed to promote it is forging ahead.

At the July 23 council meeting, The Smithers Splash Pad Society made a presentation to council with an update on the proposed project.

The society’s mission is to explore partnering with the Town of Smithers to plan, design and construct an all ages, all abilities and all nations splash pad at Heritage Park that aligns with the Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

They are now an established sub-committee of the Smithers Skate Park Society.

The society was created in February 2023 and received $16,000 from the Smithers Rotary Club raised from the club’s annual auction. They also received $10,000 from Northern Health’s Imagine Grant to hire local professionals to complete project feasibility work and develop a conceptual project design.

In August 2023, they received additional funds raised from the 2023 Bulkley Valley Exhibition Steer Auction. The team has collected letters of support and is now seeking council’s approval in principle.

Members of the committee explained to council that the town should have a zero-depth aquatic play area that is professionally designed to promote creative and affordable play easily accessed in a central location and accessible to all. They also explained that it can be customized to fit any budget and there are sustainable technology and management options.

Councillor Sam Raven appreciated the thoughtfulness in making the facility an accessible area.

“I think it is really good, as well, because there is not much in Smithers right now that is free and accessible. So I just wanted to say that those are two key points from me,” she said.

“So defining accessibility is that it ensures that it's all abilities as well and that we're not just defining it for children and families, that we're opening up for the elder,” said society member Kendra Papineau.

“So, in the last couple of weeks, we've had quite a bit of heat. So we want to ensure that it's accessible as far as physical accessibility goes, but also ensuring that it's a safe place that feels inclusive and inviting, and isn't just for one demographic.

"So I think that there's a wealth of information in this community, too, that can meet the community engagement process down the line, that we can also connect with the accessibility committee, as well as those community partnerships that would have more insight to provide with us to include in our detailed plan.”

Coun. Calvin Elliott raised concerns about water usage and Coun. Frank Wray was worried about costs.

In the end, council directed staff to provide a report with more information regarding the society's equest for an approval in principal.



Marisca Bakker

About the Author: Marisca Bakker

Marisca loves the outdoor lifestyle Smithers has to offer
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