This structure, installed in 2008, is set to be removed and replaced with a much larger modern playground at Lions Park near the Bernice Sayese Centre. (Council Agenda/City of P.A.)

By Alison Sandstrom

Big upgrades

West Flat playground to be replaced

Jan 10, 2020 | 8:00 AM

A West Flat park is getting a $100,000 upgrade.

The city has decided to replace the small play structure at Lions Park off 13^th Street West with a much larger modern one. Tenders for the design, supply, and construction of the new playground are currently being accepted.

Park Manager Tim Yeaman told paNOW the stand-alone structure presently at the park “doesn’t really offer anything to anyone.”

But the new update will be much different.

“It’s going to be a destination,” Yeaman said. “A place where people want to come and have fun. And for parents to be able to know that their children are safe and enjoying themselves.”

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Once the tender is approved and the concept completed, the city plans to hold an open house in April to review the design with residents.

“We’ll sit down with the community and see if there are elements that are missing,” Yeaman said.

And yes, to answer the most common question he gets — the playground will have swings.

City staff hope to have construction completed by the end of June, in time for the summer school break.

A graphic shows two possible locations for the new playground at Lions Park. (Request for Proposal/City of P.A.)

In 2019, city administration completed a full inventory of Prince Albert’s playgrounds, with individual recommendations for improvements on a 25-year timeline. Four playgrounds including Lions Park were identified as top priorities for replacement.

In a report to be presented to council on Monday, Yeaman explained his department chose to focus on Lions Park this year because of the lack of public playgrounds in the area.

“It’s long over-due,” he told paNOW.

The new project at Lions Park will consume the entire $100,000 allocated for capital investments in playgrounds in the 2020 budget. But Yeaman said the city is looking for partners and grants to improve other playgrounds around the city. A.C. Howard, James Isbiter, Little Red River and Carlton Park are all highlighted as other priorities.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom