By Katie Ryan
After opening to the public 27 years ago, Bud Miller All-Seasons Park will soon receive needed upgrades and improvements this summer.
Two years ago EDA Collaborative Inc. was contracted by the city to prepare the Redevelopment Master Plan for the park. Reflecting the needs of the popular green space and the desires of the community, Phase 1 of the plan was approved during city council’s Monday meeting, totalling $1.7 million, including GST.
“Over the next, probably four, five years we are going to see continued enhancements, just to get it back to a point where it was 20 years ago,” said community services deputy CAO Ken Coleman, noting the plan is comprised of three phases.
“It’s new and it’s exciting for people to show up and bring the families to and have picnics, just do various things.”
A number of projects will be completed in the first phase of the plan, including the construction of a new water playground ($781,450) and the development of the recognition plaza ($40,880), where individuals or groups who have contributed to the success of the park could be recognized. The shoreline of the lake will be reconstructed($18,750), “To a point where it can be utilized, for possibly the launching of kayaks or something of that nature,” said Coleman.
“That was something that the public quite enjoyed when it was first built, so we are trying to get back to that stage.”
Phase 1 would also focus on walkway development ($30,075), landscaping ($44,013), as well as new lighting and furniture installation ($20,760). Work on the first stage of the plan will start in May,  said Coleman, adding the target finish date for Phase 1 would be in the fall.
For the city to achieve the list of upgrades included in the three-stage master plan, the total cost is upwards of $8 million. Phase 1 of the plan was to initially cost about $3.5 million, said Coleman, however, due to budget restraints and the lack of grants the city has historically capitalized on, the scope of the work was reduced.
“Over the last 18 months we have pared down that vision to what was most important to the community,” he said.
During the city council meeting, several city councillors and Mayor Jeff Mulligan discussed the possibility of sponsorship in the recognition plaza.
“I guess in short terms (what) we are looking at, is it feasible to have people make donations to that park and be recognized in some way, shape or form?” said Coleman.
“To this point, council has always indicated that the park is to be pristine and left in a natural state, so I don’t have a clear vision at this point, but (it’s) something that we’ll research.”
Shortly after EDA Collaborative was hired in 2009, the community provided feedback on Bud Miller All-Seasons Park, turning in more than 700 surveys that measured residents’ satisfaction with the park’s services and facilities. An open house was later held in 2010, allowing the public to weigh in on the park’s preliminary master plan.
Of all the upgrades, the public’s concerns revolved around the restored relationship between the Park Centre Building and the lake, and the desire to have a new water playground.
Last summer the spray park in Bud Miller All-Seasons Park was deemed unsafe for public use.