Port Dover water capacity issues could hamper proposed splash pad

Water capacity issues in Port Dover could for cold water on a proposal by the Kinsmen Club to build a splash pad in the community.

Article content

At a recent council-in-committee meeting, councilors supported, in principle, the proposed project be put into the county’s 2027 capital budget, provided these conditions be met:

• Necessary water and wastewater capacity is confirmed and allocating water for a splash pad won’t hinder capacity for growth requirements.
• A new water allocation policy is approved by council.
• A council-approved recreation master plan confirms the splash pad requirement in Port Dover and Norfolk.

Representatives from the Port Dover Kinsmen Club began meeting with county staff in 2023 to discuss fundraising for construction of a splash pad at the southwest corner of Port Dover Kinsmen Park.

At a presentation to councilors in May, club member Amie Ferris said the Kinsmen wanted to raise up to $700,000 to build a splash pad, with Norfolk taking on the annual cost of water use and maintenance of the facility.

Article content

In a report to advisors, Stephanie Potter, Norfolk’s manager of corporate initiatives, said staff estimated the splash pad would use 150,000 liters of water a day.

Port Dover’s water capacity limits forced the county to put a moratorium on new development in 2019. The first phase of upgrades to the town’s water treatment facility is done and the final phase is on track for completion by early 2025.

“Staff are confident that Port Dover will have sufficient capacity to support a splash pad by 2026,” said the report. “However, proceeding with the proposed splash pad would limit the county’s ability to accommodate new development in Port Dover. For perspective, the splash pad would consume the equivalent of approximately 150 homes in water consumption.”

Article content

The report said giving up that development would equate to a loss of about $543,000 in annual property tax payments, up to $3.6 million in estimated development charges, and $200,000 in estimated water and wastewater charges.

The water usage cost for the splash pad is estimated $33,000 a year based on 2024 rates. Those rates are expected to increase about 180 per cent over the next 10 years.

The report said that while county staff appreciated the proposal brought forward by the Kinsmen Club and the other work it did in the community, it noted “council will need to prioritize either the new recreational amenity or the ability to allow new development, as Port Dover will not have sufficient water capacity to accommodate both in the long term.”

Article content

When asked by Port Dover Coun. Adam Veri whether the club could start fundraising with confidence if the project is put into the 2027 capital budget, CAO Al Meneses said there are no guarantees. He said it will up to a new council, to be elected in 2026, to decide whether to proceed with the splash pad.

“I don’t think this council can obligate the future council on any commitment like that,” said Meneses.

Coun. Tom Masschaele said the water park could cost the county more than $100,000 a year just in water.

“These splash pads are great community resources but we’re doing this in a community that’s situated on Lake Erie,” he said.

Mayor Amy Martin said Norfolk “isn’t in a position to turn away fundraising dollars from the community.

“Agreeing in principle that we’re supportive of their efforts is the least we can do, and we will wait until 2027 to see where that lands in the capital budget after staff have confirmed all the terms and conditions.”

Article content