$63,000 from the Kiwanis Club of Nipissing is heading to North Bay.
The Club members presented a cheque of $63,000 to the City of North Bay in relation to the Kiwanis Playworld Inclusive Playground equipment being installed at Lee Park. The playground equipment also secured additional funding from two foundations that will be announced at a later date, pushing the total from the playground campaign to over $83,000.
“At the time of our August 15 ‘ground-breaking’ day at Lee Park, the fundraising campaign had not been finalized as we were awaiting a few other activities to conclude before this announcement could be made,” said Kiwanis President Caleb O’Connor. “This cheque presented to the City is for our continued commitment to the families and children of North Bay.
“We appreciate all of the dedication and hard work by city staff and our Kiwanis volunteers in order to revitalize this area of our waterfront. This enhanced park is multi-generational, for children of all abilities to join parents and grandparents to create a new destination recreational space in the community.”
“The transformation of the site over the past 60 days has truly been remarkable,” adds Kiwanis Playground Equipment Committee Chair Ralph Celentano. “What started as a vision by Kiwanis members and Parks staff over a dozen years ago, suggesting the next installation – Phase Three – be one that is to be inclusive and fully accessible for children. I’m proud of the role our committee has played to achieve this next to existing accessible washrooms, park benches, and free parking.”
According to Celentano, City Parks staff have led this project and enhanced Lee Park to be a multi-generational play space adding outdoor fitness equipment adjacent to the inclusive children’s play structure.
“This Kiwanis ‘Young Children Priority One’ legacy project is possible thanks to the families purchasing Kiwanis Park Benches (chaired by Past President Mike Clair) plus a few other recent fundraising activities, namely a Kiwanis charity volleyball tournament and the Lucky 13 Charities Golf Tournament,” says Celentano. “The two foundation gifts are a testament to the commitment these families have towards enhancing the lives of our area youth and their quality of life.
“Knowing this new equipment installation would require wide ramps, specialized swings, gliders, spinners and sensory areas fully accessible, the committee was prepared to raise additional dollars and we are grateful that our community partners agreed to support this project. It’s been great to see the neighbourhood kids anxiously await the return of this park for all to enjoy.”
An opening ceremony is set to take place when the warm weather returns in 2020.
