Cumberland City Councillor Stephen Blais today was pleased to break ground on the construction of Vista Park, located in the heart of the growing Avalon community. The $1.9M park is being constructed years ahead of schedule as a result of a front ending agreement Blais negotiated between the City of Ottawa and Minto.
“The residents of Avalon have been waiting years to see some progress made on Vista Park,” says Blais. “One of my first priorities following the election was to secure the funding necessary to significantly expedite the building of this much needed community park.”
Though originally slated for design and public consultation in 2006, budget constraints held up any progress on the design of Vista Park until 2013. Following the agreement with Minto, public consultations and design work took place in 2011 – two years ahead of schedule.
“Active children become healthier which leads them to do much better in school,” says Blais. “Community parks like Vista Park will allow children to be active, close to home and inexpensively, 12 months of the year.”
Scheduled for completion in 2013 Vista Park will include amenities for all ages:
- Multi use field for full-sized soccer and high school football
- Mini soccer field
- Winter permanent boarded, lit and asphalted ice rink
- Multi-use court for basketball in the summer and puddle rink in the winter
- Jr. Play Area
- Sr. Play Area
- Multiple play structures for all ages
- Splash pad
- Multi-use pathways for jogging and rollerblading
- Strolling pathways
- Extensive tree planting
- Naturalized Planting areas
- Skateboard area
- Benches and Picnic tables
“Far too often community infrastructure doesn’t keep pace with development”, said Don Pettipas, President of the Vista Park Community Association. “Councillor Blais’ commitment to Avalon will allow families to enjoy the benefits of Vista Park rather than wait years.”