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2012-07-04 at 17:02

County Boulevard splash pad delays has city feeling the heat

By Jeff Labine, tbnewswatch.com
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The County Boulevard splash pad isn’t expected to be up and running for another few weeks.

City officials have been taking heat from residents after hearing the County Boulevard splash pad won’t be open on schedule. The city commissioned a local contractor to build a splash pad similar to the one at Prince Arthur’s Landing at County Boulevard.

The splash pad was expected to have been up and running on Canada Day, but complications regarding permits caused the city to delay the opening for another few weeks.

The city’s co-ordinator for Park Planning Werner Schwar said residents aren’t happy with the delay.

“It’s really unfortunate that we were promised the splash pad at summer’s start and the hottest two weeks are at summer’s start,” Schwar said.

“It’s not running and that doesn’t make me feel very good about the situation either.”

He said it was the first time that they had worked with that specific contractor. The city had to prepare the site two years ago and construction started a year ago with most being completed by last fall.

Schwar said the contractor ran into problems with getting plumbing permits and the issue is taking longer than expected to get resolved. He said the contractor was required to take out a plumbing permit in order to connect the pad to the city’s service.

The city budgeted about $300,000 for the pad but the contractor will cover any additional costs caused by the delay, he said.

Having experienced a delay with the project, Schwar said he wasn’t sure if they would be returning to his specific contractor for future splash pads.

 

 

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Comments

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peas08 says:
County Blvd? what happened to the one that was supposed to go to the North End rec?
7/4/2012 5:42:01 PM
unheard says:
this is a splash the pad one in marina looks like a stagnant pond
7/4/2012 5:52:21 PM
anon says:
Have you even been to the marina? It's a bustling place for children to cool down on a hot day, and a well used skating rink when winter comes. I guess the reason you go by "unheard" is because nobody wants to listen to your nonsense.
7/4/2012 9:57:20 PM
get_the_chip_off_your_shoulder says:
unheard:


Sounds to me you are one of the ones who was against prince arthur's landing regarding your sentiments about the waterfront splash pad.


As usual your comment is one made by uneducated criticism as if you have been to the splash pad/wading pool at marina park you would have noticed the dozens of side jets that flow water from the edge horizontally into the pool to keep water fresh flowing and circulated and some movement in the water for those who choose to wade and not get all wet from head to toe which is why the center is for getting soaked and the outer perimeter for those just wanting to wade and cool their feet. This marina park splash pad is geared to all ages including seniors etc which is why you are able to stand in it in areas without getting your clothing wet. These are similar but have different focus on who the users will be and they emphasize on those expectations.
7/4/2012 10:07:37 PM
TBDR says:
clearly you've never visited the waterfront since the splashpad opened. There are too many kids playing in the water for it to be stagnant.
7/5/2012 10:40:30 AM
blah blah says:
then dont go to the marina unheard. judging by all the kids laughing and splashing around when i was there it was a success. i love it looks great cant wait for the rest of the marina development to be completed..go tb
7/4/2012 6:21:46 PM
laurie says:
Who will be monitoring this one ??? Wouldn't surprise me if this one makes the news after it opens for lots of broken glass and vandalism ..

Love the one at the Marina... clean and fun to play in....
7/4/2012 6:38:23 PM
newshound says:
Hopefully not the same people who are monitoring the Marina, isn't that where all the sculptures were vandalized?

This County Park splash pad looks more like a splash pad then the water down at the Marina.

Laurie what do you mean by your comment about broken glass and vandalism? I've been to the Park in the centre of County Park with my 4 children and I have never had any issues. Yet, you turn on the tv and there is nothing but vandalism down at Marina Park! We live on London Drive and walk to County Park almost every evening to take the kids to play, they have been anxiously awaiting the opening of this awesome splash pad. I took my kids to the Marina and they were not impressed, they said the one in County Park is way better... they are 3, 6, 8 and 10. I must agree.... the ones who are screaming and having fun, I bet they do love it, but if they seen other areas which have more then a simple squirt of water they would want to go elsewhere.
7/6/2012 6:39:00 PM
jimmyboy says:
The plumbing is supposed to be inspected prior to the concrete being poured...who was the lame contractor that this contract was given to.?

I have to say it is difficult to believe this cost 300 grand.!
7/4/2012 6:53:29 PM
yer joking says:
Is this not a cse of the City screwing the City over paper work. Does Werner sit in his office and argue with himself and lose on purpose? Things that make you gu Huh?
7/4/2012 7:51:26 PM
RealityCzech says:
Splashpad delayed? Taranis does splashpads?
7/4/2012 8:01:32 PM
tbaygal27 says:
what a joke. the hole was dug for this project in Fall 2010. Finally in the fall of 2011 the contractor started pouring the concrete and putting up the fountains. In the meantime the splashpad has been sitting vacant and unoperational leaving it an excellent target for vandals.
7/4/2012 9:09:43 PM
wow! says:
Not surprised....... not one bit!
7/4/2012 9:57:22 PM
Fluffy says:
I should have stayed at my house in County Park. Cheap taxes, decent roads and now a splash pad. Now I pay over 5X the taxes, got crappy roads and no splash pad. I can't wait to slap a pair of speedos on and hit the new splash pad. The one at the marina is a job well done.
7/4/2012 10:18:33 PM
Me n My Opinion says:
If your taxes are 5 times what they were it's only because your new house is worth five times as much as your old one. The same tax rate is applied to every house in the city. No one is forcing you to stay in your expensive house. Kinda fits into the "you wanna play, you gotta pay" category.
7/6/2012 4:36:28 PM
gwilson010 says:
So let me get this straight... the CITY hires someone to do a CITY job, but there is a problem getting the permits from the CITY??? Or am I missing something?
7/4/2012 10:32:44 PM
Dudebro says:
Permits? How about just telling the bylaw officer to "turn the other way" for a couple weeks and just turn it on. A permit isn't actually going to change the final outcome.
I'm quite surprised actually because enforcing some silly permit holding something up I would expect them to do to a residential project, but one of their own projects would likely always get the green light.
7/4/2012 11:25:22 PM
wayne says:
perhaps the contractor could use a 'gift' from NOHFC and FEDNOR
7/5/2012 12:52:42 AM
unknowncronic says:
the kids are the ones who are paying the price for the delays, nobody else...

i hope the contractor does a better job next time with permits...
7/5/2012 6:56:41 AM
The Beaver..... says:
Name the Contractor,and refrain from stupid statemnts...we will probably not ever go to this Contractor again...you got enough Court Cases on the way to you now.
7/5/2012 7:06:09 AM
smb says:
So when I heard there was going to be a splash pad at the marina I envisioned...well, just what the picture of the County Blvd facility shows. Was I ever pleasantly surprised when I took my kids down there on the weekend; to call what they have at the marina a "splash pad" dosen't do it justice.

There has been a lot of poor choices made with the marina development project, but this was definitely a right one. My only concern is that it dosen't end up in a shadow all afternoon once they build the hotel.
7/5/2012 8:34:52 AM
moonpie says:
This will be a great place for kids to run around like maniacs while the parents sit on the sidelines smoking and drinking their Robin's I hope the contractor included ashtray's in the plans or this will be a large pool of butts and nicotine.
7/5/2012 8:55:31 AM
Tom Sanderson says:
Your positive enthusiasm is bubbling over. You must hang out with the other fools who always have a negative comment about anything and everything.
7/5/2012 10:08:32 AM
moonpie says:
Well I certainly don't know everything about everything like you do Thomas, but some things are predictable. I take it you're done whining about your insurance woes?
7/5/2012 11:21:50 AM
Tom Sanderson says:
Well thats a trait some of us have. And you are correct in that somethings are predictable. For example I predict you and many others will never have anything positive to say. Now don't be tripping over yourself to post a positive comment because I know it will be a lie. ;)
As for insurance woes! Don't have any other than the people fraudulently claiming they had hail damage from last years hail storm and a few from the resent epic rainfall that caused the sewage treatment plant to flood.
You go and enjoy your weekend. Take time to look around and see the positive in life and you will be much happier.
7/6/2012 12:00:58 PM
newshound says:
I can assure you, I've been to County Park playground and the parents that are there are playing with their children, Moonpie are you stereotyping the citizens who live in County Park? Have you been in that neighbourhood lately, its completely revamped and the rents in those town-houses are almost $1000 per month plus utilities, most tenants are two parent hard working families. I live on London Drive and I talk to many of the parents in the park, you would be surprised to know one family I met the dad is a lawyer, another the mom is a doctor here in the city. Please don't stereotype County Park, those days of the poor living there have long gone!! Its a beautiful neighbourhood with a great school. I would have to agree with the gentleman's statement below, I am so happy that my kids will get to enjoy this new splash pad in the County Park area. Its truly amazing!!
7/6/2012 6:47:50 PM
ibrando says:
"The city budgeted about $300,000 for the pad but the contractor will cover any additional costs caused by the delay, he said."

The contract was awarded for $126,097.88 Does this mean the City will pay the Contractor up to $300,000 for screwing this up but after that he's out of luck? Sounds like taxpayer money well spent!!

Tim please explain!

7/5/2012 9:36:06 AM
keiths31 says:
I hope this gets rectified quickly. There is a similar one on Franklin Street (I think it has been there for almost a decade now) that is always full in the summer. Haven't seen the one at Marina Park yet..but have heard many positive comments about it.
7/5/2012 12:08:46 PM
chickk says:
i just moved the the county blvd neighbourhood and was excited to see that a splashpad was in walking distance. I have a little boy and cannot wait to bring him here every day to play! i dont care when its up and running im just thrilled that its there!
7/5/2012 12:32:53 PM
Mazda323 says:
I've seen the splash pad at the marina but have never used it, probably never will. I don't have kids. But I do like the look of this one, and the one on Franklin Street, with the animal spouts and what-not, I think they really make it look fun instead of just jets of water spraying. Wish I was a kid again, all we had was the sprinkler in the yard, but that was a blast of fun too.
7/5/2012 1:01:44 PM
tsb says:
If you'll probably never use the splash pad at Marina Park since you don't have kids, then why would you be excited about the splash pad at Franklin or in County Park? You don't have kids.
7/5/2012 7:56:21 PM
whodo says:
The problem with this city, is the way this city does it's business !!!
7/5/2012 4:02:16 PM
wayne says:
moonpie, I totally agree with both of your posts.
7/5/2012 9:26:21 PM
Tom Sanderson says:
Birds of a feather flock together :)
7/6/2012 9:59:13 AM
commonsense says:
According to City website, the Contractor A.B.C. Recreation Ltd. won this tender in the amount of $ 126,097.88 . But, story does mention that City prepared the site, so other costs were incurred for that work.
Hopefully, it will be noted that this firm did not follow process properly, and as a result, not be a future successful bidder. The jobs WAS supposed to be completed by Oct. 31, 2011.
As well the tender stated the supplier is to "Obtain and pay fees (if required) for all required permits, approvals and utility locates prior to commencing".
Was this job monitored properly?
construction at the Vendor’s cost.
7/6/2012 12:49:12 PM
unknowncronic says:
im sure withing a few good week there will be a news story on how the new splashpad @ County Blvd was either broken down or vandalised...

and before anyone comments abou tme being negative, this was my positve comment...
7/6/2012 4:31:01 PM
wayne says:
I predict that Tom will continue to post negative comments that contain no substance or relevance to the stories. I also predict that he will continue to complain about a lack of positive comments. Perhaps he should join a forum where all the posts are warm and fuzzy, a forum where no one is allowed to voice their opinions unless they are positive :)
7/6/2012 5:35:42 PM
wayne says:
That thing in the foreground looks like a giant PEZ dispenser handing out 'bricks' of our tax dollars to an inept contractor because some high-paid City idiot couldn't properly project manage.
7/6/2012 10:36:17 PM
tree says:
What about the creepy pedos who watch?? lets crack down on them cops!!
7/7/2012 2:27:21 PM
Mazda323 says:
tsb: I didn't say I was excited about it, I said I liked the look of it. Just because I don't have kids doesn't mean I can't like something geared to them. Negative comments like yours are really unnecessary, don't you think?
7/8/2012 10:00:17 PM
gap says:
"KGS Engineering has been retained by the City of Thunder Bay Parks Division to undertake Contract
Administration Services for the Construction and installation of the Spray Park, and as such all administrative
documentation shall be though their office"
For those who are bashing the city managers for dropping the ball, why not place the blame on the people who were getting paid to oversee the project including ensuring that the contractor obtain all required permits and that all inspections be performed as the work is progressing. Plumbing permits can only be obtained by Licensed Plumbing Contractors. I suspect that this is where the issue lies.
7/9/2012 1:32:02 PM
wayne says:
gap, so who oversees these contractors? should a City official not raise a red flag when work is not done months earlier?
7/9/2012 8:59:33 PM
wayne says:
'a few weeks' in city admin timelines = a few months
7/9/2012 9:02:55 PM
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