Wheelchair accessible park sought

The Yorkton Wheelchair Accessible Playground Committee appeared before the regular meeting of City Council Monday to update plans to assist with the replacement of the play structure located in Weinmaster Park.

"Our goal is for Yorkton to have a play structure that encourages exercise, socialization and inclusion for children of all abilities, as well as a place for community families to enjoy. We feel this is an important part of enriching Yorkton's reputation as a city that actively creates a place where all people feel welcome and the diverse needs and aspirations of everyone are respected equally," said committee chair Susan Quiring.

Quiring said the Committee was seeking the City's support to help it access additional funds to go toward the playground project.

"We are in the process of applying for a Community Vitality Program grant through the Communities Initiatives Fund (CIF) for the Weinmaster Park accessible play structure. The CIF grant could potentially contribute up to $50,000 but requires matching funds in order to qualify for the grant," said Quiring.

"We are requesting that Yorkton City Council commit the matching funds required so we can submit our grant application and leverage other funding to support this worthwhile community project."

Quiring said the committee is "hopeful that a fully accessible play structure will be provided soon so all children can play."

Darcy McLeod, Director of Community Development, Parks & Recreation, told Council the cost of accessible play structure and appropriate ground fall protection is expensive, starting at an estimated $250,000.

The YWAPC has started to approach local organizations and businesses to help fund this project, he said.

The City has been planning this replacement for a number of years as this play structure is the last one to be replaced as part of the play structure replacement program that began in 2006. The structure has not been replaced in order to raise adequate funds to replace it with an accessible play structure. Therefore the City has been placing funding in reserves to be used toward this project. To date, $100,000 has been placed in reserves for this project, detailed a report circulated to Council Monday.

The Community Vitality Program will fund 50 per cent of the total project cost to a maximum of $50,000 with the applicant needing to find the other 50 per cent. There is also a requirement that the applicant needs to submit permission from the property owner with the application. The next deadline for application is April 1, 2012, with a finale intake deadline of October 1,2012.

Council unanimously supported the recommendation to support the Committee's efforts to access the Community Vitality Program.