BARRHEAD -Town of Barrhead council is delaying a decision on whether to accept a $125,000 federal grant for accessibility upgrades at the community's splash park until it knows the town’s full costs.
The town plans to use a federal government grant to create a barrier-free park by constructing concrete pathways throughout the park, as well as rubberized matting as ground cover for the playground equipment and for accessibility upgrades to the park's washroom facilities.
Corporate services director Jennifer Mantay told councillors during their Aug. 26 meeting that the municipality was successful in its application for a $125,000 Enabling Accessibility Fund grant through Employment and Social Development Canada.
The Government of Canada (GOC) established the fund as part of its Disability Inclusion Action Plan. It launched in 2022.
Those eligible for the funds include for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous groups and territorial governments.
Council instructed administration to apply for the grant in late June 2024.
"It is a [25 per cent] matching grant," Mantay said.
In the Request for Decision (RFD), it states that the municipality was informed that, if successful, the town's portion would be just over $41,000.
Mantay added that the total project cost is estimated to be over $200,000, which would increase the town's contribution to roughly $81,000.
She said, as part of their application, the town included accessibility upgrades to the splash park's washroom facilities.
However, in subsequent discussions with the parks and recreation department, she stated that the upgrades are not necessary, as they have already been completed.
"I want to see if we can delay [accepting the grant] and ask the grant authority for a scope breakdown to see if we can get our contribution down to about the original $40,000, so we can discuss it during our 2026 budget deliberations," Mantay said.
She added that she believes she should have a more accurate breakdown of the town's costs by the Sept. 9 council meeting, suggesting the issue be tabled until then.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
