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Council endorsed water park project with provisos

100 Mile House Water Park committee makes it over first hurdle

100 Mile Water Park Committee members are extremely pleased the District of 100 Mile House council endorsed the children's water park project for Centennial Park at its committee of the whole meeting on Feb. 5.

During the discussion about the project, there were some conditions brought up and they will be formalized and voted on at the Feb. 26 council meeting.

It was noted the committee made a detailed presentation at the Feb. 4 South Cariboo Joint Committee meeting, and there was general interest from all parties for the project.

During the presentation, the water park committee noted there was a wide range of supporters and a few dissenters.

The committee members said they were confident they could raise the necessary funds for the capital project, estimated to be around $300,000. However, the figure didn't include lift station, estimated at upwards of $150,000, which the Ministry of Environment has confirmed will be required, as well as water access.

Councillor Bill Hadden opened the discussion at the council table by stating he believes the water park is exactly the type of projects council should be looking for at Centennial Park.

Noting he is in full agreement about support for the project, Coun. Ralph Fossum suggested that because council would be allocating land, there should be a timeframe noted in the agreement, so it isn't being held back for a long time in case there were other project development offers.

A five-year timeframe for project completion was proposed, and the committee will be directed to give council a status update in one year.

Corey Wells, one of the key organizers, said the water park would go in the area where the washrooms and the playground are situated.

He added they became aware of the need for the lift station on Jan. 25, and while it wasn't figured into the $300,000 +/- estimate, Wells noted he and Jamie Hughes, also a key organizer, were going to be talking to RecTec Industries in Penticton, which would be doing the project construction, to see about getting the costs down.

Hughes said they will have a telephone conference with RecTec rep Brad Heintz to come up with a concept that will be affordable.

"The clover-leaf water park that has been used in the photos is quite pricey, so we're going to try to come up with a concept that's a little more affordable."

She noted the clover-leaf concept they were looking at was about $70,000 for the components and around $120,000 for installation. Water access and a lift station and water lines could run between $100,000 and $150,000, she added.

"Altogether it could be between $300,00 and $450,000, but it's not set in stone. There are also permits, engineers and [contingency funds] costs, etc. These numbers can be less, of course. With a different design, the park, itself, could be less."

Hughes said costs could be reduced through donations for items, such as concrete, and labour.

"I would like to see us not go over $300,000 because that's a pretty huge goal."

Now that they have the initial blessings of council, Hughes said she will get going on forming the 100 Mile Park Water Society, so they can start fundraising and applying for grants.

"I have four grant applications sitting on my table, but we don't have funds in place yet," she said, adding there may be something significant coming in soon.

Regarding the timeframe, Hughes said they hope to have the water park in the ground by 2014.

Council's endorsement included some conditions, including the committee will raise the funds for the design and construction of the children's water park and won't be able to commence construction until 100 per cent of the funding has been secured.

For its part, the district will allocate land within Centennial Park and assume responsibility for ongoing maintenance of the water park after construction is completed.

It was also resolved that operation of the children's water park will be subject to any seasonal water restrictions that may be implemented from time to time by the district.