Paradise to roll out pump track in refreshed playground
By Mark Squibb
Christine Crescent playground will get a refresh, but Paradise council requested more information before approving it.
The Town issued a request for proposals for the work in August, and received two proposals, which were assessed on technical and financial merits. Staff recommended council award the contract to Murray’s Landscape Services Limited for $362,250 HST included.
Councillor Jennifer Hiscock said the work will include installation of a bicycle track in the park while “retaining as many of the existing amenities as possible.”
She noted Murray’s Landscaping completed a massive tree planting project for the Town earlier this year.
“They’re a great bunch, and we’ve had them in here for meetings so I’m glad they were the ones that were chosen for this,” said Hiscock, who also expressed hope that residents will get out and use the track.
The design drawings are expected to be completed next month. Construction is scheduled for this winter and spring with the playground, complete with new bicycle track, expected to open in the summer.
Councillor Glen Carew, however, expressed concern over voting for the project ‘sight unseen,’ as it were.
“I’m assuming there’s a little more to this park refresh than just the pump track,” said Carew. “I’m assuming there’s probably some other beautifications or some other items, maybe there’s not, and I need clarification on that, but I would like to see, before I put my hand up for $315,000, something tangible, so I can say, ‘This is what it’s going to look like.’ But the drawing is not coming until November.”
CAO Lisa Niblock confirmed the cost will cover a refresh of the entire park, and not installation of the bicycle track.
Carew said that even so, he would still like more information before casting a vote. He asked if the design will include a fence around the property.
Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street inquired how much of the playground equipment currently onsite will remain once the refresh is completed.
That, said Hiscock, will be determined during the design stage.
Council decided to defer the matter until additional information can be obtained from Murray’s Landscaping.
The matter came before council again during the October 20 public meeting.
“We had a chance to ask some questions about what’s going to go in there, some of the greenery, a fence, and what not,” said Carew. “This is going to be a great amenity for that area. I suspect it will be used by many in that Elizabeth Park area and maybe even some people from outside the park area because this will be the first pump track in Paradise, so I’m happy to see this one come together. No doubt the cost of it is a little high, in terms of overall value, but I think it will deliver value to residents in our biggest community.”
Council approved the work unanimously.