Sudbury·SUDBURY CITY HALL

Councillor calls for fair play in Sudbury's splash pad debate

City staff wants to offer $50,000 as an incentive to community groups who raise the remaining $200,000 to build the pads.

City debating $50K incentive for communities who raise $200K themselves

Brittney Gairoux Bryant is one of many kids who flock to Greater Sudbury's splash pads to cool off and have fun in the summer. (Marina Von Stackelberg/CBC)

Everything from de-amalgamation to income inequality came up as Sudbury city councillors debated splash pads last night.

City staff wants to offer $50,000 as an incentive to community groups who raise the remaining $200,000 to build the pads.

But Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac disagreed, suggesting the offer discriminates against poor neighbourhoods. She recently worked with residents to get a splash pad built in the Donovan.

"When I was first elected at the Donovan people told me 'You won't be able to raise a penny there, because they're poor people,'" she said. "Well, we've stunned everybody, because we've built a splash pad and we're going to build a skateboard park."

The city has committed to putting splash pads in Capreol, Garson, Onaping and the west end.

Coniston and Copper Cliff have begun fundraising for splash pads, while a group in Azilda is working towards one as well.