MELFORT — Melfort will have a new park at the north end of the city by the end of the year, thanks to a $100,000 donation.
The two local Kin clubs received the money from the Federated Co-ops’ community spaces program, which is providing $2 million towards 24 community projects this year.
“We were thrilled,” said Margaret Leigh, the Kinettes’ past president. “It’s the difference between the park actually happening this year and it being something that goes on for 10, 15 years before we have much to show for it.”
The Kin clubs wanted the new park, which will be located on Babington Avenue, to have three major features.
The first is to have an agricultural theme. Some of the buildings in the park will look like bins, elevators and barns. The main playground will also look like something from a farm.
The second feature is to make sure the park could be used by anybody.
“It will be wheelchair-accessible and stroller-accessible,” Leigh said. “We’re working to have some sort of a fill that you’re able to roll a wheelchair across for the main part of the playground.”
Finally, the Kin clubs wanted it to be a natural setting, featuring a hill and a rock creek in the middle.
“We’re very excited and proud of the Kinsmen for the great proposal they put forward to secure some of the community spaces funding,” said Randy Wassermann, Prairie North Co-op’s general manager. “I think it will be a great project for Melfort and area.”
He added it will be a great place for families to grow and play.
Wassermann said this was the second time Melfort has received money from the community spaces program. The Rotary Park received $70,000 for upgrades.
“There’s only so much money to go around and this is spread through Western Canada, so this is pretty exciting to hear, that Melfort got funding two out of three years of the program.”
Leigh said the Kin clubs have to confirm a few items with the city, but it plans to have the most of the landscaping and the playground done by the fall.
That said, there’s still more improvements the Kin clubs will need to do more fundraising for.
“The co-op’s money is the money that will get it started. It will pay for finishing up the groundwork, put in the main play structure and, I believe, the cement pads, too,” Leigh said. “There are a few other things on our wish list we’ll keep fundraising for.”
