The Blue Mountains council has agreed to spend some extra money to install a rubberized surface under new playground equipment to be installed at Bayview Park in Thornbury.
At its committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 7, council voted unanimously to include $120,000 in the 2025 budget to pay for an upgraded surface for the new equipment going in at Bayview Park.
Council agreed with a group of local residents advocating for the upgraded surface that it was more accessible and a better overall park experience for children and parents.
The 2024 town budget included $200,000 for new playground equipment at the park, which included a surface of wood fiber chips. The upgraded rubberized surface is estimated to cost approximately $140,000.
The tender for the playground equipment project came in under budget at just over $180,000, leaving a surplus of $20,000. Town staff said they would include funding recommendations for the extra $120,000 in the draft 2025 budget.
Members of council were supportive of the upgrade project.
“This is very important so all of our children can access our playground equipment,” said coun. Gail Ardiel. “They deserve to be able to have a fun time at our playgrounds.”
Mayor Andrea Matrosovs confirmed with staff the rubberized surface to be installed would be similar to the surface Collingwood used at Sunset Point Park.
“That’s excellent news. I really enjoyed bringing my grandchildren there,” she said.
