Official ribbon-cutting held for Splash Pad beside Davidson Centre in Kincardine

The new Splash Pad at Kincardine Lions Park, beside the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, has been open for a month but it received its official ribbon-cutting, Saturday, Aug. 8.

Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie cut the ribbon, surrounded by members of the Kincardine Lions who spearheaded the project, as well as Donald Butland of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Diane Foxton of Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson's office, representatives of Open Space and other contractors, major sponsors, Blinky, and a crowd of children.

Former recreation director Keith Davidson was on hand, with a sign that said "We love the Kincardine Lions," and a photo taken in 1993 when Lions Park was officially opened.

Lion John McManus welcomed everyone and said the first time this project went before council was in November, 2011.

"It's great to see the Splash Pad as we imagined it would look," he said. "Thanks to all our great sponsors for their donations, and to everyone who helped with this project."

Eadie said it took years of planning to finally get to this day with the official opening of the Splash Pad.

"I'm so excited to be here today," she said. "Thanks to the Kincardine Lions who had the determination and the vision to pursue this. This is a great asset to our community.

"We live beside Lake Huron - the water is really cold and it takes a long time to warm up. I'm sure families will enjoy the Splash Pad, and enjoy playing in the water a lot sooner in the summer."

Butland commended the Lions on a tremendous project, particularly the water recirculation system for which the Trillium Foundation gave the club a $60,000 grant in 2014.

Foxton also congratulated the Lions Club for building the Splash Pad for the youth in this community.

Lion John McManus thanked the sponsors for their support, and Lion George Ling thanked the contractors for their hard work and dedication to this project.

Following the ribbon-cutting, Davidson hit the button to official open the Splash Pad.

The Lions Club is still fund-raising, with plans to build a second picnic shelter northwest of the Splash Pad. The club is selling paving stones which would create a path from the Splash Pad to the shelter. For information on purchasing a paving stone, click here.