Update on Centennial Park Play Structure: #Guelph



Over the last little while I’ve had a few inquiries as to what’s happening with the park structure at Centennial Park. Staff have provided a response which I’m sharing with you all here below.

Thanks,

Cam

“I apologize for the inconvenience that Centennial Park play equipment removal has created. It is unfortunate that timing could not match for the existing play equipment to be removed closer to when the new play equipment is to be installed. Public safety is always our number one priority and there was concerns about the condition of the structure. Our operations staff who are trained to inspect play equipment for conformance with Canadian Safety Association (CSA) standards , determined that they could no longer ensure compliance. Parks and Recreation staff also recently received a resident concern about the safety of the structure and acted accordingly.

Initially Centennial Park was to receive new play equipment last year and a public contract tender for installation came in over budget so City staff reworked the project and have tendered the design and implementation for this year. Currently the play structure is planned for a September replacement. City staff are working as quick as they can to get the equipment installed. The design for Centennial play equipment is being finalized and includes new concrete curbing, drainage and seating. The longest timeline in getting a play structure installed is the 6-8 week order time with the play equipment company. Centennial play equipment will be replaced at the same time as 9 other play structures and for efficiency in cost and sharing of resources they are being coordinated as one project.
I hope this helps explain the current situation for Centennial.”


3 responses to “Update on Centennial Park Play Structure: #Guelph”

  1. Chris Moulton Avatar
    Chris Moulton

    Hey Cam, any follow up on this? It is mid October and still no progress. I emailed Cathy Downer last month but didn’t get a response.

    Thanks.

    1. Cam Guthrie Avatar
      Cam Guthrie

      The process to purchase got delayed and it’s annoying i know! I’ve been talking to staff about it for the last month again! Sorry Chris!

  2. Christy Avatar
    Christy

    This is a very unfortunate situation and poor planning on the Park and Recs department, which has now left an entire neightbourhood full of children, without a park to play on during the entire summer. The time when children are out of school and encouraged to be outside and play. The park will be installed just in time to be covered in snow, until next spring. Understandably, the park was removed due to safety issues, but an article posted by the Mercury in March stated the plans of replacement. If this was known in March, then why would the equipment not be ordered at that time and have it installed for a reasonable date for usage and not leaving children parkless? We now have to pack our car up to drive to an age appropriate park, opposed to walking 50 yards down the road. Incredibly disappointing, not only for a neighbourhood literally filled with children, but a community who also bring their families to play on the play structure when the baseball diamonds and soccer fields are overflowing with nightly/weekend games.

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