At the December 16, 2024 Council meeting, results from the community survey on the spray park was presented.

In all there were 501 contributions to the survey. Here are some of the highlights presented:

• The theme of the spray park should be Ocean Adventures
• Numerous comments/other ideas or elements were received including the importance of the park need to be fully accessible and that the features take into consideration a variety of ages/abilities.
• Changes to the existing Lions Park should include various features including swings, a climbing frame/structure, and slide(s). Other features such as spring-style toys, monkey bars, spinners. Additionally, the survey results included that the redesigned Lions Park should be fully accessible and possibly include such items as an outdoor climbing wall, zip line and items for a variety of ages/abilities.
• Comments on various landscaping items included seating/tables, shade, durable plants/trees.
• The refurbishment of the existing wading pools to meet today’s standards was important to the majority of respondents along with the feeling that the wading pools are important to the community.

You can read the full report to Council in the December 16, 2024 agenda at www.kitimat.ca/agendas.

In December 2022, a petition presented to Kitimat Council requested the creation of a spray park in the community.

The idea of creating a spray park was referred to the 2023 budget, and money was then dedicated towards development of a feasibility study.

That feasibility study was presented to Council on September 9, 2024, which provided options for size and style of spray park.

The feasibility study for the spray park included a number of considerations, including:

• The demand on the water lines
• Electrical capacity
• Accessibility
• Structural requirements

The report provided to Council provided options for three different sizes of spray park, from a modest sized proposal to a very large re-imagining of the Lions Park area.

Ultimately, Council voted in favour of the report's Option 2, which would have it sit in the grassy area just outside the back door area of the Kitimat Public Library. This proposal may require a minor retrofit of the existing Lions Park playground.

Notes about this option are:

• Inclusion a restroom and change room.
• Would occupy about a half of the existing Lions Park playground area.
• Could possibly include new equipment for the playground portion of the park.
• Will require redesign of some of the walkway space through the park area.

The estimated total cost for this option of spray park totals just shy of $1.5 million.

The full report to Council begins on page 15 of the September 9 agenda here.

Survey will close after Wednesday, November 13.

Use these concept images of spray parks to help guide your answers in the survey below.

While the final spray park design and options may be different than what is shown, it will help guide our understanding of the community's preference.

The September 9, 2024 Council report included a report on the spray park feasibility

• Click here for the spray park feasibility report.

The above rendering shows the selected option for a planned spray park in Kitimat.

1. The spray park pad.
2. Existing, but modified, Lions Park playground.
3. Open green space.
4. Picnic area.
5. Washroom and change room.