Damage from playground fires could reach $43,000

The arson damage to two east Windsor playgrounds could total $38,000 to $43,000 but is lower than expected.

“The neighbours were very alert,” Jan Wilson, the city’s corporate leader of parks, recreation, culture and facilities, said Friday. “They contacted emergency services right away and they were able to get the fire out before it caused too much damage. We’re very grateful when the neighbours are looking out for things like that.” Windsor police responded to the reports of a fire at Dawson Road Park April 10, and there had been an earlier fire that day at Francois Court Park. Investigators suspected the two fires were related, and Windsor police arrested a 15-yearold male who is facing two counts of arson. The teen cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The repairs to the new playground equipment at the Dawson Road playground should cost less than $23,000, Wilson said. Most of the damage was to the slide and the rubber surfacing.

The playground is expected to be repaired in the next two weeks but that will depend on the weather, she said. The park is open, but the playground is fenced off until repairs are completed before the end of May. “We ask that people just be patient.”

The Francois Court playground is older, so the city had to order parts that have to be manufactured, said Wilson. The parts and repairs may cost $15,000 to $20,000 and will take four to six weeks, she said.

Wilson said there is potential interest from some companies to donate to the repairs and help offset some of those costs.