Splash pad coming for Brighton children

TRENTON, Ont. (21/07/11) Christopher Boivin, 3, is enjoying the splash pad in Trenton. Now Brighton kids can look forward to same thing come summer 2012. Photo by Renee Rodgers.

By Steph Crosier

Kids in Brighton can look forward to a new splash pad thanks to an anonymous $350,000 donation.

A 94-year-old Brighton woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated the money specifically for a splash pad, said Brighton CAO Gayle Frost.

“It is a very welcomed donation that going to fit well with the plans that we have for the splash pad,” said Jim Millar, director of parks and recreation. “It’s going benefit the local kids enormously.”

Millar said Brighton was planning on getting a splash pad in the future but with the new donation the municipality is looking into building the pad next year.

“It was an idea that we have been looking into,” said Millar. “We’ve looked into putting a splash pad in the next two to three years obviously its certainly fast-tracked this project.”

David Sharp of Lighthouse Wealth Management said the donor received some tax benefits

At first the donor didn’t know where the money should go, so Sharp recommended the idea of a splash pad. Having some previous experience trying to establish one in Brighton, he knew the money would finally make it happen.

Right now the city is creating a master plan of King Edward Park in Brighton and the splash pad will definitely be included for 2012, said Millar.

The donation will cover the entire project. With new products for these splash pads coming out every year, Millar said the one in Brighton could be huge.

“At this point in time we haven’t had much planning yet,” said Millar. “We just found out about the money last Friday so we haven’t had any formal talk yet.”

Though the money was just announced last week, Millar said everyone he’s talked too has been excited and very enthusiastic. With other communities around including Trenton, Frankford, Madoc, and Cobourg with their own splash pads, Millar said it is time for Brighton.

“We are immensely grateful to this donor for such a generous gift which will make a profound impact on the recreational activities of our families for years to come,” said Brighton Mayor Mark Walas in a news release.