Wilmot Township is one step closer to getting a community splashpad.
The “Bring a Splashpad to Wilmot Township” campaign was selected as one of the top ten community-driven projects by TSN’s Kraft Celebration Tour. On Saturday the tour rolled into New Hamburg where the community hosted a special edition of TSN’s SportsCentre. They also received a cheque for $25,000 which will used to build a splashpad.
“I don’t even know how to put it into words,” says Angie Hallman. “Overwhelming doesn’t even seem to do it justice.”
Hallman has been leading the campaign for the past year. The goal is to build a splashpad that is free and accessible to everyone.
The cost to build the splashpad is about $300,000. The $25,000 donated by Kraft will be added to the $100,000 already promised by Wilmot Township. An additional $12,000 has been collected by community fundraising activities. That brings the total to $137,000.
Organizers say they’ll make up the remaining amount by applying for community grants and corporate sponsorships.
Wilmot Township has also agreed to donate land for the splashpad. The location hasn’t been chosen yet but the preferred spot is at the Wilmot Recreation Complex.
“Amenities are there, the parking’s there, the washrooms, the dressing rooms and the equipment to help maintain the water [are there],” says Mayor Les Armstrong.
Organizers hope to break ground sometime next year.
