Dawson Creek is enhancing community amenities by moving forward with a long-awaited Splash Park Project.
During a January 13 Council Meeting, the city approved $2.95 million in funding for the splash park, which is set to be built in Kin Park.
This funding will come in part from the Growing Communities Fund, received from the provincial government in spring 2023.
Consultation on the splash park began in 2022, when the community identified water features and playgrounds as top priorities for outdoor infrastructure. It was followed by considerations on climate, water use, and timelines, among other factors.
The city is now entering the second phase of planning, which includes design, procurement, and Northern Health approvals. The third and final phase, construction, is slated to begin in 2026.
City staff assuring that the splash park will be fully fenced, staffed, and open during specific hours to ensure a safe environment for all visitors following concerns over its proximity to a safe injection site.
An online survey conducted between March 28th and April 19th showed that a majority of respondents supported the splash park and the most expensive design option. 78% of respondents were comfortable with the initial project cost of over $3.6 million. However, the ongoing operation costs of $120,000 per year will leave the average-priced household paying approximately $11 more per year in taxes once it’s operational next year. 81 per cent in favour of the tax increase, based on the survey results.
The city will hold a public consultation on February 10 to discuss the five-year budget plan.
If no changes are requested by the public or council, a third draft will be read in March before a financial plan bylaw is adopted on April 7, 2025.