TIMMINS - After years of discussion, a new playground is getting closer to reality in Porcupine.
Openspace Solitions has been awarded the $201,935 contract to design and install Earthscape custom play structures at Melview Park, located on Michener Boulevard behind the Porcupine Mall.
The total budget for the park is $420,000, with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) providing 50 per cent.
Earlier this year, two lots were sold in the park, with the money raised from the sale going to redevelop the space. The lots brought in $47,500 and there are $62,450 in donations for a total of $109,950 being raised to cover the city's portion of the project. The remaining balance is in the 2025 budget.
Work on the park started in 2021 when a grassroots group approached the city to revamp the park.
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The new structures will be a unique wooden design for kids ages 18 months to 12 years. With the remaining $180,000 available, the city plans to install an accessible parking lot, trail, small gazebos, tables and benches, as well as plant trees, flowers and plants
Ward 4 Coun. John Curley is happy that the project is at this stage.
"And I know that group had meetings, and they had different discussions. I know some of them are still in touch with me on over some of the design," he said.
At Tuesday's Timmins council meeting, he asked if a small basketball court could be added to the design.
Clerk Steph Palmateer recommended going ahead with the approved contract.
"Any changes to the scope of the project, would need to go back to the NOHFC for approval at this point, I believe it's too late in the beginning to do that. This project was approved quite some time ago," he said.
There used to be a basketball court in the park and early designs of the revamped space included one.
The basketball pad was slated to be renewed in 2022, at a price tag of $150,000. That was delayed to allow for the new plan to be determined.
Palmateer noted that a new basketball court was also recently installed at the nearby Spillenaar park. Adding a court to Melview Park would be something to talk about during the budget process, and he estimated the cost is about $250,000.
