The Eugenia Community Park is going to be getting some upgrades over the next two years.
At its meeting on Aug. 2, Grey Highlands council gave thumbs up to a plan by the Eugenia Community Improvement Association to upgrade the local park by tearing down an aging pavilion and replacing it with a modern structure.
Association members Ron Barnett and Don Alp made a presentation to council about the project. The work will be spread over two years, starting in 2023 and continuing in 2024.
“We want our park to be a source of pride in our community,” Barnett said. “We are fully ready to move on this project. We’re super excited to get started.”
Barnett and Alp told council they have designs for the project, have lined up volunteers and have firm quotes for the materials and work that will be done.
The first phase of the work in 2023 will see the old pavilion removed, a new concrete slab poured and a new pavilion built. The project will include roughing plumbing for the second phase. Phase two will see a portion of the pavilion closed in to create an indoor space and a drilled well added for water.
The association has raised $53,403 to pay for the first phase of the project. Included in that total is a $25,000 Capstone grant. Barnett and Alp asked that the municipality consider funding phase two – estimated to be $23,511, as well as covering the cost of all permits and handling the transactions for ordering the materials.
“This is exciting. You come with money in hand to build this,” said Mayor Paul McQueen.
Council approved phase one of the project in principle and directed municipal staff to work with members of the association on the project and the details. Council also forwarded the request for financing for phase two of the project to the 2024 budget deliberations.
