Location chosen for proposed west-end splash pad

The city’s parks and recreation staff have chosen Manzo Park as their preferred location for Sault Ste. Marie’s third interactive water feature.

City Council will be asked Monday to forward the $750,000 project for consideration during their upcoming budget deliberations.

Manzo Park, located on Goetz Street at Young, was chosen over the Elliott Sports Complex on Rossmore Road and Lennox Park on Lennox Avenue off Bainbridge.

Here, as listed by community services director Brent Lamming, are the factors taken into consideration:

• existing infrastructure in terms of washrooms, ties into existing utilities
• best location in terms of pricing versus other alternatives
• Manzo Park construction estimate $750,000
• James Elliott Park and Lennox Park construction estimate $1.6 million (all new services and buildings required)
• takes advantage of existing summer staffing at the facility in terms of lifeguards and parks staff
• aligns well with existing programming such as Every Breakfast Counts
• serves target demographics and has the highest nearby population
• lower ongoing maintenance requirements
• ample space for parking expansion
• located on an existing bus route providing access for all

"Based on the review, Manzo is the best location and will be the most cost-efficient," Lamming said.

"In addition, the demographics of the area are well served (high population with 17 per cent of the residents under 14, whereas James Elliott Park has four per cent)."

"The site has ample power and water service coming into the Manzo pool building and options to tie existing infrastructure for drainage."

"In addition, this option facilitates future development at the James Elliott Park Sports Complex for the operation of a tube park and an off-leash dog park, which have been raised as options in the past.

"As part of a longer term strategy, city staff can begin to investigate options in the northern end of the city for a future splash pad development," Lamming said.

If approved by City Council in December, the Manzo Park build will be the city's third interactive water feature.

One is already located in Bellevue Park.

The other is to be built as part of the new downtown plaza.

Monday’s City Council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.