Is $600,000 too much for a splash pad?
Some councillors defend building costs for popular water attractions
Is Hamilton getting soaked on splash pad costs?
The question first bubbled up this month after an in-house audit criticized the city’s growing reliance and spending on consultants, spurring a request for detailed cost information on spray-and-play projects in Bruce Park and Mount Hope that appear on track to exceed $600,000 each.
But several councillors defended Hamilton’s spray-pad spending Monday after seeing a report outlining money-saving suggestions like restricting design and locations options.
Ward 7 Coun. Donna Skelly said she recently submitted her own research to city staff on splash pad costs in other Ontario cities, which suggest an average cost of closer to $350,000.
“If our average splash pad cost is $500,000 or more, I just feel like that is quite high … (and) that it would be prudent to delve a little deeper,” she said.
City staff is evaluating Skelly’s research. But quoted costs in some cities don’t always include design, consulting and archeological studies, said manager of landscape architectural services Cynthia Graham. “When we strip those things out we’re quite comparable,” she said.
Skelly pointed to a City of Ottawa report that lists “hard and soft costs” for a typical splash pad at $350,000. Regardless, she says a detailed cost outline will allow “apples to apples com-
parisons” between cities.
City reports show construction costs alone for spray pads in Hamilton ranged by project over the last decade from $129,000 to almost $350,000. Buchanan Park cost $570,000 to build last year, including $89,000 for consulting. But $117,000 came from resident requests for walkways and a sun shelter.
Hamilton offers more splash pads than most Ontario cities with 64, or one for every 8,800 residents. London has 14 (1/27,000,) Mississauga 26 (1/29,000) and Toronto 114 (1/24,000).
The city could save cash by sticking to a small number of basic splash pad designs, ruling out, say, pricier “bucket drops.” Restricting sites to those with water and sewer hookups would save cash, but rule out some parks.
Ward 6 Coun. Tom Jackson argued residents “overwhelmingly” approve of the city’s consultative approach to splash pad design. He also expressed concern about limiting sites, noting the city’s commitment to upgrading amenities in underserved areas.
Other councillors have also raised concerns.
Ward 11 Coun. Brenda Johnson has expressed frustration with $125,000 in consulting fees spent trying to install a splash pad in Mount Hope, a cost she labelled “asinine.” Ward 8 Coun. Terry Whitehead also questioned Monday if “collusion” in the construction industry is keeping bids artificially high. He urged council to at least explore ways to cut costs. “It’s about seeing if we’re getting value for the dollar,” he said.