By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — A playground structure donated to Whitewater Region won’t be installed on public property.
Chief Administrative Officer Christine Fitzsimons advised the members of the Recreation Committee at last night’s recreation committee meeting that the township insurers advise against installing this playground structure.
Also, Shelley Wagner, a certified inspector with Active Recreation, said it is not a commercial playground structure, therefore does not meet the required standards of the Canadian Safety Association (CSA).
Environmental Services Manager Steve Hodson said this is not the first time this has occurred.
“Local groups try to do a good thing and they purchase equipment that is not up to par,” he said.
“Shelley said the structure is not what you want in a public space,” Mr. Hodson said. “I’ll stand by my original recommendation, that it not be installed.”
Councillor Chris Olmstead asked, “So, are we just wiping our hands clean?”
If the township decided to hire professional installers, it could be erected, but there’s the possibility it wouldn’t pass the inspection test, noted CAO FitzSimons.
It’s unfortunate the playground structure is made of plastic, which should not be erected in a public place, she explained.
Public works manager Bill Misener questioned what to do with the playground structure, since it is now sitting in the township garage in Cobden.
Councillor Dave Mackay suggested Ms. Watson be advised the Beachburg firefighters might be able to install it in the Beachburg playground, which is private property.
The committee agreed to send a letter to Ms. Watson advising the playground equipment cannot be erected, but suggested she contact businesses or even the Beachburg firefighters association, to see if they would be interested in the structure.
Councillor Cathy Regier said a time frame to remove the structure from storage should also be included in the letter.
It was also suggested a letter be sent to Dave Alexander, president of the Foresters Falls Athletic Association, who was at a recent meeting suggesting it would also like to erect a playground structure on public property, but may not be allowed to.
In a previous recreation committee meeting, Ms. Watson from the Cobden Recreation Association spoke to the recreation committee about the frustration of erecting a playground structure.
Ms. Watson noted the playground structure was purchased years ago, but due to various reasons, was never installed.
The association donated the playground structure to the township, hoping it would be erected in the municipal park near the tourist booth.
However, township environmental services manager Steve Hodson doesn’t approve the erection of the structure due to liability to the township.
Mr. Alexander also spoke to the committee, but only because the association wants to purchase a similar playground, but wants to know if it’s a viable option to go ahead with
“In Foresters Falls, over the last two to three years, the demographics have drastically changed and we have quite a few families with small children and we have a need for a similar piece of equipment.
“Whatever decision is made tonight will affect us as well and other rec associations in the region,” he said.
Ms. Watson noted she contacted Playground Planners after being advised by Mr. Hodson the company declined to install the playground. Playground Planners said as long as the structure is Canadian Standards Approved (CSA), it could be installed. However, since the structure was not purchased at this company, it would not provide installers.
Ms. Watson noted the playground structure was purchased in the United States because it provided the best price. It is the oldest and largest company in the U.S.
“It’s not a fly by night company,” she said. Mr. Alexander did a lot of research, and while there are certified inspectors for playground equipment, there are no written policies or guidelines on what is required for equipment installation.
“For my perspective, what are the council’s standards for installation,” he questioned. “What requirements do we have to meet to do this and is there a reason why, when you buy a certified piece of equipment, you can have it installed by whomever, but it has to be certified by an inspector?”
Mayor Hal Johnson said the standard for installation is in the manufacturer’s specs which are included in the purchase of the equipment.
Ms. Watson said the manufacturer states volunteers can install the structure, which is one of the reasons this certain one was purchased.
CAO FitzSimons said the township’s insurer has been contacted regarding the issue. They are awaiting answers on can this playground structure be installed; does it meet municipal standards, which are different standards for installation on public lands, and could it be volunteered install, or do professionals have to install it.
“It’s not that this isn’t a great idea, but everything falls to liability,” she said.
Coun. Olmstead said if it has to be professionally installed, “I can give you a list of 10 contractors who would donate time to this good cause.
“Personally, it sounds like we are getting in the way of people who are trying to do good in the community,” he stated.
Coun, Mackay sits on the Beachburg Fair Committee and it had firefighters and volunteers erect a playground on their property.
“This isn’t rocket science,” he said. “If you can trust these people to fix your house, fix your car, produce your food, then certainly they can fix a child’s plaything. I think it’s a good idea.”
Mr. Alexander noted the instruction manual is about 90 pages, double sided.
“As long as we’re careful and go through it carefully, it would be hard to put it up wrong,” he said.
However, he said, when the recommendation from the insurer is back, if it states it has to be professionally installed, he hopes there’s clarification as to what professionally installed means, and not “some idea” of what professionally installed means.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said one of the most important aspects of this structure will be what’s on the ground beneath it. There are very specific details, whether it be wood chips or a certain type of sand, she said.
“I would be in favour of council donating the sand,” she said.
She further noted if the insurance company says as long as it’s properly installed and inspected, it can be erected, the rec association should be notified right away so they can begin working on it.
“If we can get it in stalled, that’s a bonus,” Coun. Jackson said. “I hate to see a piece of playground equipment in storage for no good reason.”
