It’s all about the kids as the Parksville Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Parksville AM work to raise $100,000 to replace the outdated splash park in the Parksville Community Park. With a campaign launched in late May, the clubs are now halfway to their fundraising goal, having combined to raise $50,000. The project recently received a $500 donation from CUPE Local 401, $250 from Parksville Tim Hortons and $1,000 from the Rotary Ballenas Interact Club.
Donations may now be made online through Canada Helps, linked from the splash park website at www.parksvillesplashpark.com. The website also offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities as well as project updates, ongoing fundraising initiatives and how people can help with the project.
A news release from the city states the City of Parksville is grateful for the commitment of the Rotary and Lions clubs to ensure the success of this project, coming together to support this significant fundraising project and to make a new splash park a reality for the Parksville Qualicum Beach community. The clubs have been busy throughout the summer, selling 50/50 tickets and candied salmon at the Summer by the Sea Street Market on Tuesday evenings and at many other summer events.
The new splash park has been budgeted at $300,000, which will include dismantling of the existing splash park, waterlines, drain infrastructure, new equipment to meet current regulations, new surface or pad, equipment installation, signage, landscaping and commissioning. The City of Parksville will contribute $200,000 and the Rotary and Lions have committed to raising $100,000 from the community, including their own club contributions. Any additional funds will be used to assist with ongoing maintenance of the splash park.
The existing splash park, added by the Parksville Lions Club to the Ventureland Playground in 1992, will remain open for this summer as usual, until Sept. 5. Following closure, the old equipment will be removed and the facility rebuilt, with a planned opening of the new facility in May 2018. The splash park is used by area residents as well as the thousands of tourists who visit the region annually.
Ventureland Playground is well-loved by many generations. In a written release, the city cited parents who played in the park as children, now bring their children and their parents now bring their grandchildren. As well, hundreds of school-age children visit with their classrooms each year.
— NEWS Staff/City of Parksville release