HUMBOLDT — With a commitment from the City of Humboldt, the Bill Brecht Memorial Park Playground upgrade project is $15,000 away from starting its first phase.
Council voted to provide a matching contribution of $75,000 in the city’s 2022 budget.
The total project cost is anticipated to be $260,000, with Phase I expected to cost $110,000.
“We feel really good,” said Cynthie Gaetz, Bill Brecht Playground Upgrade Committee president. “It’s definitely a good start for us and makes it more enticing for other companies to give us grants.”
Since the city’s contribution is matching, the committee will be using $55,000 of the city’s funds for Phase I, with the remaining $20,000 saved for Phase II. The city noted in the budget allocation that the remaining portion may be utilized in 2023 to complete the project.
Phase I is anticipated to begin this coming summer.
“Once we have that $15,000 we’ll be ordering the day we get the money, since the price of the playground with shipping in this day and age keeps going up,” Gaetz said.
The city’s contribution isn’t the only one recently received, with the Good Neighbour Store recently contributing $10,000 as part of $370,000 in various contributions to 44 organizations in and around Humboldt.
In the city’s budget, administration noted that improvements made to the ball diamonds at Bill Brecht Memorial Park have led to increased usage of the play structure. The replacement structure would be brought up to current playground standards and would be an improvement on the structure currently in place.
Phase I will include a beehive fort with enclosed slide, climbing wall, swing set which will include a tot bucket swing, and an accessible boat swing, two backhoes, and the roll.
Phase II will include a double zip line which will include one with an accessible seat, accessible carriage swing designed for all ages, play structure with the two slides, kitchenette, skateboard bouncer, snowboard bouncer, accessible sensory panel, park benches, and the swirl.
If individuals want to donate, Gaetz said e-transfers, cheques and cash are accepted and are eligible for tax receipts. Donations can e-transferred to billbrechtpark@outlook.com.
“We’re in the process of getting a website up as well.”
