Splashy plans
An aerial concept drawing of Tsawwassen Rotary Club's proposed water park with an interactive stream and splash pad at Diefenbaker Park.
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Updated: November 12, 2009 11:44 AM
It will be much more than a water park, says Vickie Sangster with the Tsawwassen Rotary Club.
The club’s proposed “splashy” project for Diefenbaker Park will be a natural habitat with an interactive stream, a wheelchair accessible splash pad, and a heritage-inspired play structure all in one.
Delta council approved the conceptual design for the water play facility at the Tsawwassen park Monday evening (Nov. 9), and now the Tsawwassen Rotary Club embarks on a fundraising campaign to make that vision come to life.
The club hopes the municipality will agree to fund up to 50 per cent of the total project cost, with the Rotarians fundraising the other half of the estimated $150,000 to $200,000 budget. The Rotary water park committee has also applied to the province for assistance.
Sangster, the committee chair, says the idea for the water park came about in October 2008.Originally, the committee had a typical water park in mind. But after a tour to water parks throughout the Lower Mainland, they realized they had an opportunity to create a playful, nature-inspired site enjoyed by young and old.
The concept plan prepared by Delta staff includes a rock-lined stream flowing from a water spout near the corner of 56th St. and 1st Ave. to a pool near a splash pad at the base of the slope near the parking lot.
The curving stream would feature newly planted trees and benches to be used by all ages, and not just in the summer.
The wheelchair accessible, brightly coloured splash pad is where the water park sprays and structures will be located, such as a wooden sieve-inspired rain box.
Many aspects of the design, such as the rain box, draw inspiration from Diefenbaker Park’s former use as a gravel pit. Sangster says Delta staff referenced images found at the Delta Museum and Archives to create pieces such as the stream’s water spout based on a photo of a smoke stack.
In a report to staff, the committee said it hopes the park could be named after the Tsawwassen Rotary Club. Sangster says they hope to have the park complete in two years.
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