By CONNIE TABBERT
EDITOR
COBDEN — There will be a playground structure erected to the east of the Cobden Tourist Information Booth at the Cobden Park.
At the Aug. 5 council meeting, Whitewater Region council turned down the erection of the structure due to the liability to the township.
However, Mayor Hal Johnson pushed the issue, spoke again to the inspector and Heather Corrigan, who brought the idea of a playground structure being erected at the park to council.
During last night’s council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons said she has confirmed with the insurance company the six recreation associations are covered by the township’s insurance policy.
Once the structure is erected and approved by the inspector that it has been installed correctly, the township takes it over, she said.
When questioned if there is a group of volunteers who will install the structure, Ms. Corrigan, who was at the meeting, said, “There is no set group, but there are many who will volunteer.”
Councillor Chris Olmstead questioned if public works would supervise the installation.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin said when the Foresters Falls playground was installed, there was no municipality involvement regarding supervision.
“They don’t need the township to supervise,” he said.”
Dave Alexander of the Foresters Falls Athletic Association, who was also at the meeting, said the township did the site preparation, but it was installed by volunteers, assisted by local businesses.
Councillor Cathy Regier questioned how often the structure would have to be inspected.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said there must be yearly inspections completed on playgrounds.
CAO FitzSimons said Steve Fiegan from Bonnechere Valley would do the yearly inspections. However, if he’s not able to, another solution will have to be found. It was suggested public works do that, however, she feels that department is overloaded enough.
She noted recreation within the township is getting large enough it will have to be discussed.
“There is no recreation department or manager,” she said, “so I’ve assigned that department to environmental services.”
She suggested this area may have to be explored by council in the future.
“There is no department specifically set aside to look after our recreation department and it’s starting to grow,’ she said.
The township is acquiring more recreation assets and eventually a recreation manager may need to be hired, CAO FitzSimons suggesed.
Mayor Hal Johnson agreed that it should not fall under the jurisdiction of public works.
Following the meeting, Mayor Johnson said Foresters Falls was also given permission to erect its playground structure, as long as it follows the same parameters as was given to Cobden Recreation, which is it must have a final inspection prior to allowing children to use it.
He said the biggest question answered was that anyone who works or plays on this structure will be covered by the township’s insurance.
Mayor Johnson said following the decision on Aug. 5, he felt that wasn’t the right decision. He contacted the company who provided the playground structure and the inspector, found out all was okay and proceeded to work with Ms. Corrigan to ensure the playground structure could be erected.
When the structure will be erected is up to Cobden Recreation, Mayor Johnson said.
