Hundreds of local kids were treated to an early Christmas present this past week as several local dignitaries officially declared the brand new Bonnyville Splash Park open for business at a special ceremony on Canada Day.
Mayor of Bonnyville Gene Sobolewski was joined by MD of Bonnyville Reeve Ed Rondeau, local MLA for Bonnyville – Cold Lake Genia Leskiw and several council and splash park committee members for the unveiling, with each commending the local community for a “job well done” for making this project a reality.
“This new area is the perfect example of cooperation and teamwork between municipalities, government, non-profit organizations, banking institutions, seniors, children, schools, church groups and the greater business community all working together on a specific project and bringing it to fruition,” said Lorna Storoschuk, Bonnyville town councilor and member of the Bonnyville Splash Park committee.
She added, “This is known to most of us as the magic of Bonnyville. I'd like to extend a very special thank you to all community members that have made this project a reality. It is your generosity that brought this amenity to our community.”
The $700,000 splash park project includes a 90-foot by 30-foot splash park area, complete with a variety of water toys, and a $60,000 gazebo. There are also several picnic tables scattered around the site which Ray Prevost, head of the Bonnyville splash park committee, said makes the area the “perfect” spot for a nice family day out.
After turning on the splash park during the town's Canada Day festivities, hundreds of local youngsters had the chance to try out the new facilities and for the most part, they liked what they saw.
“This is awesome, me and my friends are going to have so much fun coming here this summer,” said eleven-year-old Aaron G.
“I like the toys and the water is nice and cold and the big moose is really great,” said Samantha T. “I'm going to use this a lot with my brother and sister in the summer.”
Ten-year-old Jakson T. said he loved the new splash park so much he was going to convince his parents to allow him to move into a tent beside the facility so that he could use it whenever he wanted.
After spending the best part of six months raising funds to pay for the project, Storoschuk announced the committee was now “very close” to meeting the $700,000 price tag.