Proposed Reynolds Park 'splash park' tender closes in 6 days

Splash Park

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Reynolds Park, the proposed location for a Port Douglas aquatic facility and splash park.

Douglas Shire Council’s decision to invite tenders for the preparation of a concept plan for an aquatic facility in Port Douglas, which includes developing detailed designs for a splash park, will no doubt be greeted with a certain amount of cynicism.

“This has been done before. We have been teased enough times and it never amounts to anything,” is one pertinent comment.

A Council spokesman said the tender was posted to Vendor Panel and Council’s website in mid-October. It was also listed in the fortnightly E-newsletter. The tender closes on November 16.

The major project page was also updated and an email recently sent out to those who registered for updates.

And in a statement to Newsport today, Council said it expects the aquatic facility to be a staged development.

“As part of the design process, the public will have an opportunity to review relevant financial data and influence the design through community consultation.

“Once community consultation has been completed and Council has approved the overall concept, the consultant will prepare detailed designs for the splash park component which will be Stage 1.

“The aim is for the splash park to be shovel-ready in time to seek funding in 2022.”

A Project Update posted this month on Council’s website said: “Tenders have been invited for the preparation of a concept plan for an aquatic facility.

“The tender includes developing detailed designs for a splash park and closes on 16 November.

Reynolds Park in Port Douglas is identified as the preferred location and the successful consultant will be required to create an animated fly through for the entire aquatic facility. This will be used to go out to the community for feedback on the concept.

“The aquatic facility will be a staged development. Once Council has approved the overall concept, the consultant will prepare detailed designs for the splash park component which will be Stage 1. The aim is for the splash park to be shovel ready in time to seek funding in 2022.”

The need for a splash park and an all year round swimming option is as strong as ever and a recent Newsport poll identified what other polls have shown over the years: overwhelming support.

Responding to the question: “Should Port Douglas have a Yeppoon-style lagoon pool?”, 172 respondents or 85.57% out of 201 said Yes, while 29 (14.43%) said No.

Responding to: “Would you support the establishment of a Special Council Committee to investigate financial solutions for a Yeppoon-style lagoon pool?”, 166 or 82.59% said Yes and 35 (17.41%) said No.
 

  

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