A community organization has plans to construct a second public splash pad in Owen Sound within the next few years.
Scenic City Order of Good Cheer president Bill Jackson says the organization’s next project is a splash pad and while an exact location and detailed plans are still in the preliminary stages the hope is to build it near the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
Jackson says the Order of Good Cheer has had some conversations with the city about the project, which he estimates would cost nearly $400,000.
The Scenic City Order of Good Cheer will be embarking on a fundraising campaign to finance the full cost of the splash pad. Jackson anticipates they would be able to raise the dollars within two to three years and then move ahead with the project.
“This has not been finalized. The city has normally been very good with us and they look after the property, as far as donating the land. And we’d like to do it at the Bayshore because the water is there, sewer is there, washrooms are there,” Jackson explains. “If everything worked out we wouldn’t have to build a washroom like we did at Kelso Beach. But right now, nothing’s been confirmed with the city other than they’ve been very good as far as wanting another splash pad on the east side of the town.”
Jackson says while firm plans have not been explored yet the splash pad would likely be very similar to the one at Kelso Beach, with various water-amenities such as fountains, spray stations and a tipping bucket.
Normally, the largest annual fundraiser for the Scenic City Order of Good Cheer is a sunset cruise on the Chi-Cheemaun which has not been held since 2019 due to the pandemic.
Jackson explains a golf fundraiser is being planned for August 19 at Legacy Ridge this summer to help kickstart donations for the future splash pad project.
Anyone who is interested in becoming a sponsor for the golf fundraiser, or would like to play in it, is asked to contact Tom Potter at 519-371-9482 or Mike Smart at 519-270-3355.
The Scenic City Order of Good Cheer is a community organization in Owen Sound that has been incorporated since 1998 and has raised more than $1.3-million for various projects, including the Good Cheer Splash Pad at Kelso Beach, the Good Cheer Rink at Harrison Park, and others.
