DUNNVILLE—While talks to replace the Dunnville wading pool began years before its decommissioning, no such feature is officially planned yet.
Following an April 2019 Council meeting, The Press reported on a planned $750,000 splash pad for Lions Park in Dunnville, with support from then-councillor Bernie Corbett and a proposed funding arrangement between Haldimand County and the Dunnville Lions/Lionesses. With the Lions promising to cover $487,500, Haldimand was asked to commit to $262,000, or 35% of the total cost, through the Community Partnership Capital reserve.
The Press reported at the time that construction of the splash pad was estimated to begin in 2021 and be “similar to the splash pad located in Hagersville,” but to date, no such project has materialized.
At the same time, it was reported the former wading pool in Central Park was nearing its end of life and would be decommissioned in 2023. County staff informed Council at that meeting that the trend in municipalities is to replace wading pools with splash pads because of cost and cleanliness factors.
The two projects were both mentioned in the County’s 2024 Community and Recreation Facilities Strategy, which recommended replacing the pool with a splash pad and addressed the Lions/Lioness proposal. The strategy said Lions Park is the County’s preferred location for a splash pad due to a “variety of complementary recreation amenities (e.g., outdoor pool, green space, pavilion, courts, ball diamond, and skate park) that currently exist.”
It added, “A decision on the splash pad has not yet been made.”
According to County spokesperson Kyra Hayes, the wading pool was ultimately deemed to be at the end of its useful life and ready for decommissioning in 2024. The site has been subsequently demolished.
“We are currently out for bid in order to retain a design consultant to develop plans for a new playground at Central Park. The existing playground will be removed and the new playground will be installed immediately after,” Hayes shared. “Designs won’t likely be available until the summer and community consultation will take place with regard to the playground’s design.”
There are currently no plans to install a water-based recreation amenity in Central Park, but discussions are continuing for such a facility at Lions Park.
“Recommendations from the 2024 Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy include working with community groups to install a splash pad at Dunnville Lions Park,” Hayes said. “Talks continue with community groups regarding the fundraising and development of a splash pad at Dunnville Lions Park, however, I don’t have any noteworthy updates to share at this time.”
Hayes noted that the Dunnville Lions Pool building is also at the end of its useful life, with an existing “potential to further enhance the amenities on this particular site.” She added, “No decisions have been made at this time; staff will share updates as more details become available.”
Dunnville is not alone in its potential for a new splash pad, with Hayes confirming that “staff continue to explore the potential to construct splash pads in Cayuga and Jarvis” as well.
