On the heels of a request from the Emo spray park committee for a financial contribution towards the project, Emo council agreed to offer some funding and support during its regular meeting last Tuesday (Sept. 11).
Emo Reeve Ed Carlson noted although the group had been fundraising since April, it needs to have a solid amount of funds already in place in order to receive grants from certain organizations.
The committee is aiming to raise $150,000 by next spring in order to build the 60’ x 60’ water spray park at the Lions Park in Emo, which will offer 3,600 sq. ft. of fun for children of all ages.
A contribution of $1,000 a year for five years was suggested but Emo council initially was unsure whether it had that amount available in the budget.
“I think we should make it available,” said Coun. Gary Judson. “I’d really hate to see it not get off the ground.”
Council agreed it would be a good addition to the community where there are many young families with children who look for ways to stay cool in the summer months.
And the spray park would be designed to be a safe and unique play area, where water is sprayed from structures or ground sprays and then drained away before it can accumulate.
The structures also would use an unique triggering system so it only would run when it’s being used—eliminating any significant impact on the local water supply.
As well, a spray park could provide the potential for economic benefits since no other nearby municipality has a facility like the one the committee has proposed.
Not only did Emo council pass a resolution offering the $1,000 a year for five years at last week’s meeting, it also supported a second request by the committee to have the township apply for funding from Hydro One’s “PowerPlay” grant for funding towards the spray park project.
In other business at last Tuesday’s meeting, Emo council discussed crosswalk issues at Donald Young School as passing motorists often drive too quickly along Highway 602.
And with school recently resuming for a new year, council would like to slow motorists down before an accident occurs.
But the township cannot post additional signage or install a crosswalk in front of the school since Highway 602 is a provincial roadway and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
There currently are some pedestrian signs there, but Reeve Carlson noted people get so used to seeing the signs that after a while they don’t notice them anymore.
“It would be great to throw something new up there—something bright to catch their attention. . . . They just get complacent, so it might help wake them up a bit,” he indicated, noting a bright chartreuse sign would be ideal.
Council requested new chartreuse signs be installed by MTO, as well as to have them place hatched crosswalk markings in front of the school to identify an area for crossing.
In related news, council agreed to place a “children playing” sign on Strachan Drive and near the Emo Lions Park to make drivers aware of children and to slow down.
Also at the meeting, Emo council:
•approved to make application to the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program for two transfer switches, a diesel heater, and a rescue van; and
•agreed to enter into an agreement between the township and CIBC in order to provide electronic bill payments made to the township by its payors through telephone banking, online banking, ABM, and electronic transactions through CIBC’s branch networks.
Emo council’s next meeting is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at the municipal office.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
