The new splash pad in Port Elgin is open, just in time for the Canada Day long weekend.
Dozens of children rushed onto the fully-accessible play structure at Port Elgin's North Shore Park for the first time Thursday, moments after the ribbon was cut to officially open the $360,000 splash pad.
Fundraising committee member Alanna Davidson says hearing the screams of joy from the splashing kids makes the three-year effort worthwhile.
"This is fantastic, the squeals...are exactly what we were hoping [for]," says Davidson. "We're so excited that today, we get to share [this] not only with our community, the next generation of Saugeen Shores residents, and visitors alike."
Davidson says it was a community effort to bring the project to completion, pointing in particular to the Port Elgin and District Lions Club, which donated $100,000.
She says they are about 90% of the way to their fundraising goal, which they expect to reach later this year.
A second splash pad in Saugeen Shores is currently under construction in Southampton's Jubilee Park, which is expected to be completed in late July.
Dozens of children waste no time, playing on the new splash pad for the first time in Port Elgin. (photo by Jordan MacKinnon)