City crews will be descending on Battle of Beaverdams Park in less than two weeks to begin the execution of the $1,3 million dollar overhaul of the historical park. As a result, the park will be closed beginning June 14 and well into the fall, as everything from asphalt to light posts will be swapped in the project that the city passed in its 2021 budget.
It was after securing additional funding that city council voted earlier this year to include the massive project on the city's to-do list for this summer, anticipating public use will skyrocket once health measures lift. The park has been used for big public events, like the city's annual Canada Day celebration.
The work in the park is set to be completed in the fall of 2021. The project was awarded to Greenspace Group at a council meeting on May 18.
The contract so far is valued at $1.6 million plus HST and as per the council has slight room for overage. Earlier in the year, the city council budgeted a total of $2 million for the revitalization of the park. Several levels of government were involved in funding. $267,366 comes from the federal government and $222,783 from the province.
The entire 10-acre park will receive improvements, from the south end playground through the walkways, amphitheater and to the north entrance to Sullivan Avenue, including new entranceway and walking trails, an accessible playground, lighting, infrastructure for events such as portable water supply, upgraded washrooms, and more.
With the money saved, the city is looking to potentially include features such as some form of Indigenous community recognition, an accessible wheelchair swing and provisional Items like Wi-Fi, and heating, budget permitting.
According an recent city report, staff are also investigating grant and sponsorship opportunities with the public and private sector, to offset the overall project costs.
