Splash parks could be cut from 2010 budget

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Nov 06, 2009- 2:12 PM

By: Sudbury Northern Life Staff

One of Greater Sudbury's leisure service projects, splash parks, could be sunk.

Four new splash parks, also called “splash pads” by council, are in the budget to be built in 2010, but if Ward 8 Coun. Ted Callaghan has his way, that won't happen.

The new splash pads for 2010 are estimated to cost $600,000 to build and $60,000 a year to operate.

Callaghan, who also chairs the finance committee, said council has prioritized health and safety for capital investments.

When talking about other projects, such as the revitalization of the Howard Armstrong Recreational Centre, Callaghan said, “These are important. But, splash pads are not important as far as I'm concerned. $600,000? Forget it.”

Currently the city has two splash parks in the city, according to Réal Carré, director of Leisure, Community and Volunteer Services. Council has approved three through the 2009 budget, and two are being built at the Howard Armstrong Recreational Complex and Kinsman sports complex, according to Carré.

Ward 3 Coun. Claude Berthiaume defended the splash pad construction, saying it would be an investment in health.

“It keeps these kids occupied and busy, and gets them out of the house. It's not a safety issue, but it is something that affects the quality of life for the community.”

Berthiaume also argued that it would be a way to spend money in outlying areas.

Ward 5 Coun Ron Dupuis supported Callaghan.

“We've been saying since the beginning of this budget that we've been feeling the pain. We really have to limit ourselves as to what we're going to do with this budget. If (that involves) postponing splash pads for a year, and not spending $660,000, then that's what we should be doing.

Dupuis did not dismiss splash pads as “not important,” as Callaghan did. He acknowledged their benefis.

“A splash pad is still something that is very nice to have, it's something that people can use at different times of the day. It's very important to have them in key strategic locations.”

Ward 2 Coun. Jacques Barbeau voiced his support for Callaghan, saying that council needs to look over the budget carefully this year.

“I think that we all have to take a sober look at a lot of these projects... It's a tough budget... Quite honestly, never in three years have I had a phone call from anybody saying 'we need a splash pad.”

Chief Administrative Officer Doug Nadorozny warned council about cutting capital spending, saying whatever spending they cut this year will have to be invested next year for them to get back to par on capital spending.

Ward 7 Coun. Russ Thompson was on the fence with the issue.

His ward is expected to receive two of the water parks, if the funding comes through to build them.

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7 Comments

  • mr 11/11/2009 12:26:50 PM - Report Abuse

    we have families running to food banks, and strikers, and the city is trully spending money where it isn't needed for the moment! How can we justify all these expendatures. I am the first one to say that the children have little or nothing here in Sudbury and the surrounding areas. But can we really think spending this amount of the tax payers money in these tough economic times

  • Rarity 11/9/2009 8:28:31 AM - Report Abuse

    "Why is it when it's for the main part of the city we are​a ​l​w​a​y​s​ ​l​e​f​t​ ​h​i​g​h​ ​a​n​d​ ​d​r​y​.​"

    LOL? You've obviously never lived in Lively then. The only things we've gotten since amalgamation is city transit every 2 hours and the city's sewage stinking up our backyards.

    Our flower beds are overrun and under-tended, our firetrucks and equipment are requitioned for inner city and we're given trucks with broken axles etc.

    Really. We get 'everything'? Half of our beaches are untended and falling apart, thanks to the city. I have no doubt that a 'splash pad' would be as well.

    Now that I live in the city, I walk past the splash pad downtown in the park. I see kids using it all the time. I think it's wonderful.

  • Its Time For A Change 11/8/2009 6:58:29 PM - Report Abuse

    Maggie, The city core has a splash pad in the memorial park , Its as "Core" of the city as you get. And there is one in chelmsford as well.

  • Bill_1 11/8/2009 9:54:36 AM - Report Abuse

    Why should all casino money go towards young families?? Why should all citizens not benefit from the money? Maybe Ted realizes people on fixed pensions in this city can't keep affording tax increases.

  • Maggie_1 11/6/2009 10:39:29 PM - Report Abuse

    I just checked on the two splash pads that have been approved. One will be located in Hanmer and the other one in Lively but nothing in the core city of Sudbury. We need this for the kids. Why is it when it's for the main part of the city we are always left high and dry. All the Casino money that is given to the city should be directed to activities for the young families in the city. Council should vote on having all this money only for recreational activities and nothing else.

  • Maggie_1 11/6/2009 10:32:13 PM - Report Abuse

    Mr. Ted should start thinking about what is important to the young people in the city. We have to keep them busy. We need recreation for our children. Think about the youngsters and not about what you think is best. These children need some place to go and have fun. We have too many young people doing illegal things and if we kept them busy they wouldn't get into trouble. Why do you always have to say everything is expensive.....maybe the taxpayers want this for their children...have you ever stopped to think about that....it's time to be realistic here and do something positive for this people in this community. It's the taxpayers money not yours....

  • MAXIMVS-corruptioncentral 11/6/2009 6:33:17 PM - Report Abuse

    The cost of these splash parks sound like a drop in the bucket compared to other expenditures. How have we benefitted regularly from casino payments...Seems to me there were stories all week long about the city recieving monies from various sources...and all we hear is cut cut cut.
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