New splash pad for Chippawa Park
Mayor credits Ward 4 councillor for bringing idea forward
THOUGH IT WON’T be ready until near the end of summer, Chippawa Park will have a new splash pad to keep parkgoers cool.
“It’s long overdue,” said Ward 3 Coun. John Chiocchio at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
A report from city staff said the splash pad at the park, located near the volleyball courts, was well past its service life and in need of replacement.
It also said that $350,000 was set aside for the new splash pad and amenities.
In February, staff put out a request for proposal for the design, supply and installation of a new splash pad and amenities, and five companies put in bids.
A.B.C. Recreation Ltd. of Paris was the successful bidder and will do the work for $317,255.
Chiocchio congratulated city staff for bringing the project in under budget and asked about the time frame around getting it installed.
Erik Nickel, Welland’s general manager of infrastructure services, said construction should get underway after Father’s Day and take four to six weeks.
He told council the idea is to have a number of benches and sheltered patio/picnic tables around the splash pad as well.
Council heard there were no grants for the project and that it had already been budgeted for.
Ward 5 Coun. Claudette Richard asked whether there would be repercussions if the contractor did not finish the work on time.
Nickel said there is a penalty clause, but added it wouldn’t go into effect until an order deadline for all
of the parts for the splash pad is locked in. He said it wouldn’t be fair to penalize the contractor if parts for the project were not available.
Mayor Frank Campion said, although he was not at the meeting, it was Ward 4 Coun. Tony DiMarco who raised the issue of Chippawa Park, beside First Avenue, needing a new splash pad a couple of years ago.