Construction of a new spray park in Transcona is expected to begin later this year.

In April, the city’s property and development committee approved $800,000 from the city’s land operating reserve be transferred to help with the design and construction of a $5-million outdoor pool, wading pool, water slides, and a splash pad.

The 39,000-sq. ft. Transcona Pool Spray Park will be built on the current Centennial Pool site near Wabasha  Street and Kildare Avenue East.

Construction of the splash pad, which is the first phase of the project, is scheduled to begin this year, with an anticipated opening date of summer 2013.

The remaining water features will be constructed in the next two to three years once private sector sponsorship and other government funding is confirmed.

Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) said plans call for the existing indoor pool to undergo significant improvements while the new outdoor pool and wading pool are constructed.

"The existing outdoor pool is 51 years old and it won’t last another 51 years, so we have to reinvest and the time is now to do that," Wyatt said.

"The plan calls for the existing indoor pool to stay with some improvements to bring in some natural light, and fixing up the change rooms."

Transcona resident Nathan Nickerson, who lives near the site, said a splash park will be a boon for the community.

"The thing about it now is that if we want to go to something like that the closest one is near (River East Arena)," said Nickerson, who has two young daughters.

"But it’s a trek to do that. To have something in this area is going to be fantastic."

Nickerson said area residents received details of the site plan this past winter, and he likes the proposed design.

"It will be nice to have somewhere within walking distance," he said.

"Not just walking distance for us, but this whole area is families."

Wyatt said it became clear following a June 2011 open house to show residents preliminary plans for the project that having a spray pad in the area was important to the community.

"It’s something I heard from many young families. Many families in our community do not have the resources to have a cottage or go to the lake," he said.

"I think is important to the quality of life of our community."

A final open house on the project will take place some time in June.

facebook.com/TheHeraldWpg
Twitter: HeraldWPG

adrian.alleyne@canstarnews.com