The ratepayers of Espanola are likely looking at a slight increase in taxes this year, but how much depends on what capital projects council decides to move forward on.
Some of those projects include a dog park, a splash pad park and supporting the Pickle Ball Court retrofit at the Espanola Golf & Country Club.
Councillor Sandra Hayden pointed out at last week’s meeting that the dog park issue is a request from the public, but liability could be a concern.
All three projects will be part of Wednesday’s special meeting on the budget.
The Dog Park
The initial recommendation was Council to budget an estimated $60,000 in 2021, and undertake a public consultation on the proposed location for a Dog Park.At the meeting council agreed to allocate $20,000 from reserves to host public consultations on the park subject to the 2021 final budget approval.
Background:
 At a meeting of Council on August 11, 2020, Council turned down an individual’s request for an exemption to the Dog Bylaw for an off-leash provision on Duplessis Road. In response to the request, Council directed staff to identify municipal site options to potentially locate a dog park for further discussion and consideration.
 The September 11, 2020 staff report was created to include site options and information on minimum standards and liability.
 After reviewing the September report, Council directed staff to obtain estimates on the potential development of the three identified sites. Pine Grove Park, Algoma Park and a section of land on Algoma street
between Mead and Margurite.
 Staff identified the potential Dog Park as eligible for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) funding opportunity in January of 2021. Due to the strict funding application deadline, staff could not
seek Council’s approval on the site selection.
 Of the three site options, Algoma/Marguerite is best suited to meet the recommended standards to allow for space to accommodate both
small and large dogs. The other two sites present safety concerns with regards to dogs accessing the park through a children’s play area (playground).
 The initial ICIP funding application combined the dog park project at Algoma/Marguerite with the replacement of the Pinegrove Park playground structure.
 The funding application had to be amended to support only one project to fit the funding allotment.
The Pinegrove Park project was chosen over the dog park because:
1. The asset exceeded end of life
2. In 2019 the Municipality paid out a liability claim on an end of life
playground asset
3. The asset does not meet AODA standards for Accessibility
4. Playground replacement is an identified priority in the Recreation
Master Plan
 During the April 21st , 2021 Budget meetings, Council requested staff to prepare a report on the development of a Dog Park consideration in the 2021
budget.
 In consulting with other municipalities which have Dog Parks, staff understand that Dog Parks are often created in response to a request by canine groups, clubs or organizations which become a stakeholder
in the operation, safety and cleaning of the site. To date, staff are not aware of any such organization or collective stakeholder in Espanola.
Analysis:
 Should the project proceed in 2021, it would need to be funded from either municipal reserves or taxation as it is no longer part of the funding application. Dog Park providers recommend that the site be divided into an area for large dogs and small dogs. The site would encompass approximately two-thirds of the area on Algoma Street from Marguerite to Mead for a total area of 2,250 square metres divided
into two sections. Each section would be approximately a quarter acre in size.
 Cost estimates for the Dog Park include:
Fencing $38,100
Benches & waste containers $10,000
4 Dog Features $4,000
2 Dog Waste Bag Disposers $400
Safety Signage $1,000
4-inchTop Soil & Seed $6,500
 Similar to a zoning application change, it is recommended that the Town provide an opportunity for the neighbourhood stakeholders to provide comments for Council’s consideration, before the development of the selected site for the Dog Park.
 This additional municipal asset which will add to the roster of Public Works duties and responsibilities. Staff estimate 3-4 hours, per-week for 28 weeks for grass cutting, weed whacking and garbage collection.
 The following is an excellent resource for the pros and cons and risks of dog parks (see attachment) https://apdt.com/resource-center/dogpark-pros-cons/
PICKLE BALL COURTS
In regards to the Pickle Ball Courts, council was asked to approve funding in support of the Picke Ball Courts at the golf course. Council noted the club had already raised $70,000 in local fundraising for the retrofit. Council passed a motion to support the project, again subject to final approval in the 2021 budget.
The Town of Espanola allocate $47,000 in the 2021 budget for this project and proceed subject to confirm the following for Councils approval:
- The potential liability and insurance implications to the Town by participating in this project.
- If the Espanola Golf Course is prepared to indemnify the Town during project construction and the future use of the Pickle Ball Courts by the residents of Espanola.
- The expectations of the Pickle Ball volunteers regarding further fundraising and service levels from public works staff.
- Volunteers are hoping for a September project start and completion in May of 2022.
Analysis:
 The volunteer champions of Espanola Pickle Ball have initiated and led the project to date in researching standards, securing estimates and potential contractors – the volunteers have experience and
competency in project management but want the Town to be the project lead because the volunteers are an unorganized group with no insurance. It is their intention to continue to work closely with the
Town of Espanola through the Leisure Service and Public Works Departments.
 Domtar, as the owner of the property has consented to the project but will not hold any liability for the project or for court participants.
 Leisure Services staff are currently awaiting information on status of insurance with the Golf Course.
 Volunteers are projecting the cost of the project to be $117,000; the volunteers have secured $70,000 in a donation and are asking Council to make up the shortfall of $47,000 from the Municipal budget.
 The current estimate is a high-level estimate and could see fluctuations in cost, for example the project could cost less depending on how much root contamination is below the surface which will impact
the amount of granular fill on top of the geotextile. The project could also cost more given the volatility of all construction materials in COVID. The estimate does include a 10% contingency.
 Leisure Services staff have consulted with the benefactor of the Tennis Court Trust Fund held by the Town of Espanola for the potential use of the remaining $21,084 fund for this project, but approval to utilize this funding, for this purpose, was denied.
 When the original tennis courts were removed in 1998 to make way for the Recreation Complex parking lot the Council of the day promised to replace the tennis courts.
 There are inherent risks in investing in an asset that is not Municipally owned.
 The issue of liability risk to the Town in this situation needs further investigation.
AND THE SPLASH PAD …
Be It Resolved That: Council consider a transfer to reserves in 2021, for the potential development of Splash Pad based on the analysis and conclusions of this staff report.
Background:
 M. Blais appeared as a delegation before Council on August 13, 2019, to request that a Splash Pad be located at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex. In response, Council directed staff to verify the feasibility and probable costs of developing a splash pad outside at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex sports field. A staff report was prepared for Council on August 29, 2019
 On September 17, 2019, Council recommended that a splash pad sub-committee be formed.
 The formation of the committee was lengthy in process, challenged by a lack of forthcoming volunteers to serve on the committee. Council then provided direction to establish the splash pad committee as a
sub-committee of the Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee. Once the committee was finally formed, Leisure Services was shut down due to the COVID lockdown in March 2020 and committee meetings were suspended. Committee members include: Councillor Hayden, Councillor Dufour, Jeff Sheppard as a member of the public, Mark Bond as representative of the Recreation & Culture Advisory Committee and staff representation from Public Works and Recreation.
Analysis:
 As outlined in the staff report of August 29, 2019 there are considerable determinants in choosing a site and design
 The choice in site, water and catchment system, equipment features, size and design will determine the pricing
 The Committee is in the infancy of exploring feasible options for the development.
 To reduce the impact to future budgets Council could commence with the transfer to reserves for the potential project.
 To date, Council has not committed to the splash pad project only the exploration of it.
 A splash pad was not one of the recommendations of the 43 put forth in the 2017 Recreation Master plan.
Conclusion:
 As per the staff report prepared for Council on August 29, 2019 there is insufficient information to provide a project estimate and selection of site for 2021.
 Staff recommends a transfer of $75,000 to reserves as suggested for discussion at a budgetary Council Meeting.
 Staff initiate meetings with the sub-committee to explore site and design options and forward their recommendation to council for their consideration.
Financial Commitment:$75,000 to reserves