Heather Wright/The Independent

Petrolia’s long-awaited splash pad should be up and running by the end of July. 

That from Town of Petrolia officials who acknowledged they’d hoped it would be open July 1.

In 2019, a community survey called for a splash pad. The 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan also picked up on the desire for the water feature.

In 2021, Petrolia Kiwanis offered to build a splash pad for the town and started raising money. In 2023, the town agreed to allow the club to pay the $100,000 over 10 years. 

Then in 2024, the equipment was ordered and the groundwork for the splash pad began.

Julie Bullock, director of parks and recreation, said the town’s contractors are now finishing the last steps of the project. “The splash pad is almost complete,” she said in an email to The Independent.

“The water just needs to be hooked up and turned on and our staff trained on the use/maintenance of the system.

“For those last steps we need the area around the splash pad to be complete for the safety of the users.”

Friday, contractors were paving the pathways around the site. Another coat of asphalt is needed and some fencing along the soccer field needs to be installed,” she said.

“The washroom/change room facility is nearly complete as well, we are just waiting on a few finishing touches,” Bullock added.

The town hoped to have the splash pad open for Canada Day but “the weather this spring did not cooperate and contractors could not get in as early as we had hoped to start back up. 

“We are hopeful that the work will be complete and the splash pad is operational by the end of July. 

“If the work is complete before then we will open it as soon as we are able.”

Bullock says the town hopes to host an official grand opening of the splash pad Aug. 26 at noon.