Residents flock to Newmarket's first spray pad

YorkRegion.com
July 21, 2014
Chris Simon

Holly Sparks is ready to get soaked.

Though the Rogers Park spray pad only opened a few weeks ago, the Newmarket mother has already brought her two children to the facility twice, she said, adding the pad is bustling, as kids and parents look to cool off during the warm weather. 

“The kids love it,” she said, during an official opening ceremony for the site Monday morning. “They can run though and it’s safe. It’s good for all ages.”

Dignitaries and a small group of residents participated in the opening of the pad, which has a distinct railway theme — tracks are painted along the outside of the pad, an overhead shower feature is designed to look like a water tower and the on button is stationed in a signal post.

The pad is the first of its kind in Newmarket. It was previously the site of a wading pool, but was redesigned and reconstructed at the request of residents.

“We’ve committed to providing resting places, where people can relax,” Mayor Tony Van Bynen said. “It’s far more efficient from an operating point of view (and) it serves the needs of the community.”

The pad will open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during warm months.

Spray pads have become a hot topic in town since a resident called for the construction of one at Frank Stronach Park, near the Leslie Street and St. John’s Sideroad intersection, during a recent deputation to town council. He also handed over a petition signed by 300 people.

The Stronach proposal has been referred to 2015 budget deliberations for consideration.

However, Rogers Park has long acted as an entertainment hub for the northern Newmarket community.

“This spot was actually in a corn field,” town special events and culture services manager Becky Bell said. “It was a great social spot””

The pad is at 170 London Rd., behind Canadian Martyrs Catholic Elementary School.