Kinsmen Splash Pad needs renovations

Chris Abbott

Editor

The sound of children’s laughter as water sprays them under a hot summer sun… That’s the sound that has been heard for the past 20 years at the Simcoe Splash Pad, which has benefited countless children and families. 

But the fully accessible and free 4,500-square-feet splash pad is in need of major renovations.

The Simcoe Kin Club, supported by the Norfolk Community Foundation, is seeking help to benefit future generations from businesses, service clubs and individuals.

It will cost an estimated $80,000 to replace the concrete pad, and complete piping repairs.

Donations are currently being accepted for the revitalization project, which will begin next spring. You can visit norfolkcommunityfoundation.com, click on ‘donations’ and scroll down to the ‘Splash Pad Restoration Fund’ link.

Donations can also be sent directly to the Simcoe Kin Club at 141 Windham Street, Simcoe, ON, N3Y 2L2. Tax receipts will be issued.

The Norfolk Community Foundation will be assisting their fundraising efforts.

“We provide the opportunity for service clubs, like the Kinsmen, to fundraise by providing flow-through capacity,” said Josh Parsons from the Norfolk Community Foundation. “So people can donate money to the project through us, and because we’re a charity, we can give them a tax receipt for that and the money is passed on.”

“So far, we have a $10,000 grant from The Norfolk Community Foundation,” said Dennis Travale, who was the committee splash pad project manager 20 years ago, is also leading the current revitalization project. “We have a $10,000 donation from the Hazel Race Foundation. Then $5,000 from a private citizen. And another almost-$5,000 donated from people. So we’re at $30,000.

“The Kinsmen Club, we have four locations with trailers for bottle and can collections. The most prominent one in Simcoe is at the Legion. There is also one at the Esso station in Waterford.”

The bottle collections raise nearly $1,000 per month.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a steady stream.”

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The splash pad, which opened in 2005, currently has a walkway in the park that highlights all of the major contributors/donors. The original project cost was $250,000.

“The County couldn’t really agree where to do it, we just took the bull by the horns and said ‘we’re going to do it,’” said Travale, a former Kin member. “I went to the County and I assured them, we’re paying for everything.”

“This park area here was a little T-ball ball diamond that was hardly ever used. So that was decommissioned and ‘away we go.’”

The final results were fantastic.

“It’s well used,” said Travale. “And it’s free.”

Structurally, the splash pad will not change its size. The ‘turtle’ will be replaced, he said, as well as two water guns, which are push activated. The physical work will start next spring. The $80,000 required is an estimate, he noted, but they have told Council they will endeavour to raise all the funds necessary.

“We’re going to add more features,” said Travale.

“It’s early days yet, but we’re making good progress.”