Town of Sundre officials are looking into upgrading playground equipment in town as part of its soon to be unveiled Master Recreation Plan.
The master plan will be used as a guide to improve recreational services in town, but won't say specifically which parks need to be upgraded, according to Jacci Hager, the town's manager of community services.
She said while there is a need to upgrade playground equipment in the community, determinations will be based on playground inspections using the Canadian Playground Safety Institute's policies.
The inspections will determine exactly what equipment needs to be replaced and then a cost will be determined as well, she said.
“When the Town of Sundre removes equipment, it's because it no longer meets safety standards and so then we need to dispose of it appropriately, so that there is no longer a liability or danger to anyone,” explained Hager.
The plan will be presented to council by administration officials this week in a closed meeting and will be presented to the public during the welcome back barbecue on Sept. 5.
The plan could be considered by council during the Sept. 16 council meeting.
Meanwhile, council declined a request from residents of Riverside RV Village for any playground equipment municipal officials may be getting rid of.
During the council meeting on Aug. 19, Pat Koblun and Norman Gundersen, who also sit on a committee that is trying to improve the RV park, requested playground equipment from council.
They said they are in the initial stages of planning for a playground at the park and wanted to see what the town would be willing to help with.
Gundersen said he had spoken with Dean Pickering, the town's former chief administrative officer, who informed him that there might be a possibility that the town could provide them with old playground equipment when upgrading.
Ron Baker, the town's director of operational services, recommended not giving away old equipment because it's not safe. Mayor Annette Clews questioned the liability of the town if it did give away old equipment.
Doug Wright, the town's interim chief administrative officer, said the municipality can't give away old equipment if it is deemed unsafe.
Coun. Paul Isaac pointed out that the town keeps the equipment until it is no longer usable.
Gundersen also asked for the use of one of the town's backhoes when constructing the new playground at the park.
Clews said the municipality doesn't rent out equipment and Baker said staff would have to go in and do it. However, he said town staff prefers not to do so because it would be direct competition with local companies.
Gundersen said the park as a whole is a big taxpayer and gets nothing from the town, but that the town supplies playground equipment to residential areas.
Isaac said the parks are spread out in residential areas around town. Coun. Chris Vardas said the RV park is not open all year round, so it would be unfair to put a park in a place that the public cannot access at all times.
Gundersen said the RV park should get the same treatment as all residential areas in town.
Coun. Myron Thompson pointed out that only principal property owners in the park can vote in the municipal election.
No motion was made.
