Corner Brook -
The south side of Margaret Bowater Park will be redeveloped this summer.
The fortunate aspects of the redevelopment will include a bandstand and events pavilion/ice rink, pool improvements, new playground equipment, continued and enhanced greenspace, and a future new building.
Unfortunately, the south side will be closed for the entire 2010 summer season.
"Progress doesn't come without sacrifice," Corner Brook Mayor Neville Greeley said during a press conference held Thursday to outline phase II of the park's multi-year redevelopment.
"In order to ensure the safety of its residents and facilitate the work being completed in a timely, safe manner, council has no choice but to take this action, and are therefore asking for the public's patience."
To help offset the disruption caused by the closure, which will include the swimming pool, council plans to hire attendants to work on the north side of the park throughout the summer to co-ordinate various activities for children. More details on this will be released closer to the end of the school year.
The north side, with the exception of ground work in the area where the water main was installed last fall and where the bikeway trails will be built this year, was completed in the fall 2008 and spring 2009.
Phase II on the south side began last fall with the construction of a new parking lot and extension of the underpass. In the coming weeks, the redevelopment will continue.
The existing canteen building will be torn down and replaced by a public events and performance pavilion that will take the shape of a circular walkway with a sod gathering area in the summer and an ice rink in the winter. This structure will coincide with a new bandstand capable of hosting musical and theatrical performances. The enclosed facility will feature an open roof that can be closed.
A new linear trail system will completely connect the park to the remainder of the Corner Brook Stream Trail Network, and there will be approximately 35 lights installed throughout the park.
The improvements to the pool include decking, permanent seating, lighting, and expanding the overall pool area.
The entirety of phase II is expected to be completed this year.
The future building will be relocated and include changerooms, washrooms, lifeguard station, and maintenance/supply storage. While the building will require additional funding, which is currently being sought, it is hoped construction of at least the foundation work will commence this year.
The original gateway structures on O'Connell Drive, welcoming people into the park area, is not a part of the current conceptual plan.
Greeley said the redevelopment is expected to realize the potential the park has.
"Very few cities in the world have a park as beautiful as this is going to be, right in the middle of their city centre," he said. "We are very fortunate for the location we do have."
Brent Humphries, the Corner Brook Stream Development Corporation's executive director, estimated the current usage for the north side of the park tripled or quadrupled following the redevelopment. He expects an even greater advantage when the park is completed.
