The Innisfail Lions Club wants to add some zip for the kids for Canada's 150th birthday.
The club presented a proposal to town council on March 13 to purchase and install a Zip Krooz play feature at Lions Raspberry Park. The Lions Club will raise an estimated $52,000, including government grants, for a two-run facility that is more than 20 metres long by almost six metres wide, with two metres of clearance on each side. The play feature, which includes a single zip line and an assisted one, is designed for children between the ages of five and 12.
In a report to council, Henry Wong, the town's director of community services, noted one side of the Zip Krooz is equipped with a seat/handle feature, similar to a T-bar lift, for able-bodied children and a mounting platform at both ends of the structure. He said the other side is equipped with a harness seat for younger, less able-bodied kids.
"It's not just one Zip Krooz. It is two put together, so you have a single one and then you have an assisted one for young kids to go on it, and handicapped kids can go in it," said Shari Riley, secretary of the service club, who added there is "tons" of room at the park for the new play feature.
Riley said the club hopes to have it fully installed this summer for Canada's 150th anniversary.
"We are going to do it on our own so basically we are looking for the town's approval to do it," she said. "I went on one in B.C. with my granddaughter and that is where I got the idea, and we checked and a few people have them in Alberta and I think it is just something different. It's awesome."
Wong's report also noted the new Zip Krooz feature will be required to meet or exceed current Canadian Standards Association Playground Safety Standards, including a defined "no play" or no encroachment zone.
"Administration with parks operations have reviewed the proposed location and feel that area of the proposed installation would be unencumbered by other park usages, and recommend that approval be given to proceed with the proposed installation," said Wong in his report. Council ultimately approved administration's recommendation to approve the installation of the Zip Krooz.
Although the full cost of the playground feature project will be the Lions Club's responsibility, the town will assume ownership and be responsible for its ongoing maintenance once installation is completed.
However, Mayor Brian Spiller suggested the town could still provide the club with some excavation assistance when it's time for installation to proceed.
"Whether or not they come back to the town or they want to do it all by themselves that is up to them, but every playground the Kinsmen ever built the town also came in and did the excavation and helped out some," said Spiller. "It will be a nice addition to the town for (Canada's) 150. It is a brand new piece of playground equipment that should be quite exciting for the young kids of town."
Shari Riley, secretary of Innisfail Lions Club
"I went on one in B.C. with my granddaughter and that is where I got the idea, and we checked and a few people have them in Alberta and I think it is just something different. It's awesome."
