DIDSBURY – Town council has OK’d $50,000 for a pathway in the Valarosa neighbourhood to connect a recently constructed playground to the nearby street.
The approval came by way of motion at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting, which was held by teleconference.
The pathway will run from 63 Valarosa Drive, past the new playground location and tie into the pathway around the storm pond in the Valarosa subdivision in north Didsbury.
The estimated cost of the pathway is $50,000, with the funds coming from the existing pathway and trail reserve.
“The playground project, which was completed by the Valarosa Parks Association, is largely funded by the Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) provincial grant,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
“In addition to $15,000 allocated to the project in the town’s 2019 capital budget, the pathway project was identified as the town’s contribution to the project.”
The pathway must be completed to meet the matching funds conditions of the CFEP grant, council heard.
Meanwhile, council has agreed to have the Valarosa Park Association’s five volunteers receive a special recognition award for their efforts in bringing the playground to fruition.
The members are Ben McPhee, April McPhee, Cathy Hawkins, Violet Lewis and Jeff Lewis.
The town’s community recognition policy allows for individuals to receive special commendation.
Residents Heather and Kyle Gagne and Kevin and Mirjam Richardson made the application to the town to have the association members recognized.
In a letter to council, they said, in part, that, “Over the last three years, the association has hosted multiple fundraising events and contacted several companies and individuals to solicit donations and support towards the playground fund. Countless hours were spent above and beyond normal day to day work and family life to meet this important milestone.”
Mayor Rhonda Hunter applauded the move to recognize the association members for their efforts.
“It’s a super playground and investment,” said Hunter. “What a great bunch of volunteers.”
The grand opening for the playground has tentatively been scheduled for Aug. 22, council heard. The presentation of the special recognition award will take place at that time.
The new playground is located along the south bank of the Rosebud Creek.
