The Simcoe Kinsmen Club is working hard to ensure the Simcoe Splash Pad remains open for years to come.
Apr 01, 2026 • Last updated Apr 02, 2026 •
Issues with concrete at the Simcoe Kinsmen Splash Pad have put the facility at risk of closure this summer. Photo by File Photo /jpg, SR
The members of the Simcoe Kinsmen Club are in a race against time to keep the Simcoe Splash Pad operational.
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The group has spent recent months raising funds just to resurface the area, but they were recently informed that deterioration of the concrete will necessitate a complete replacement costing around $80,000.
This news came shortly after Norfolk County announced that the Annaleise Carr Aquatic Centre would be closed for repairs and maintenance during the summer.
Situated at 281 Head St. North, the Simcoe splash pad is one of two in Norfolk and typically operates from 10 a. m. to 9 p. m. during the summer months.
“There was some talk of it actually being shut down by the county due to not being safe,” said longtime Kinsmen member and past-president Mike Ryder, “so we kind of kicked everything into high gear and started raising funds for a complete replacement of the concrete surface.
“It has major cracks to the point that (Grand Erie Public Health) had even come and taken a look.”
Ryder mentioned that this project will now include testing existing pipes to ensure any replacements will work properly at this location.
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“It became a much, much bigger thing than we anticipated,” he added.
With Ontario’s new recycling program no longer accepting empty alcohol containers curbside, the Kinsmen are utilizing four local spots where people can drop off their empties as part of their fundraising efforts.
“We’re concerned that it could be shut down in the summertime, which is something we really don’t want,” said Ryder.
Club members explored applying for grants to help raise more money; however most require ownership or leasing of property for at least five years. While Norfolk County was open to leasing them the park, liability insurance costs would exceed any grant amount.
“We keep running into these roadblocks, and we’re kind of at the point right now where we had hoped we’d be out for tender looking at breaking ground or breaking up concrete,” said Ryder. Kinsmen Club member Dennis Travale, former mayor of Norfolk County and project leader when this site was established over twenty years ago, pointed out that they are just over halfway towards their fundraising goal. They kicked off with $10,000 from both their club and from the Norfolk Community Foundation. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. “Having a fully accessible and inclusive site where children can play safely should be-and is-in my view equally important to all citizens in Norfolk,” Travale noted. If you’d like to make monetary donations towards this project, you can do so through the Norfolk Community Foundation which provides tax receipts for contributions. Ryder indicated that they plan on meeting with Norfolk County council soon. “We’re doing whatever we can to reach around 75% or 80% funding raised and ask if they can contribute what’s left so we can move forward,” Ryder explained. “We don’t want to wait until fall because then we’d be taking a chance on whether or not the splash pad makes it through summer-one more winter could cause further damage-and I’m sure daily costs for concrete are rising.” You can drop off empty containers at three locations in Simcoe: Royal Canadian Legion located at 200 West St., Haviland Automotive at 647 Concession Rd.14 , and another spot at Waterford Esso on Old Hwy24 (808). For more information about donations via Norway Community Foundation visit norfolkcommunityfoundation. com. Share this article in your social network
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Club members explored applying for grants to help raise more money; however most require ownership or leasing of property for at least five years. While Norfolk County was open to leasing them the park, liability insurance costs would exceed any grant amount.
“We keep running into these roadblocks, and we’re kind of at the point right now where we had hoped we’d be out for tender looking at breaking ground or breaking up concrete,” said Ryder. Kinsmen Club member Dennis Travale, former mayor of Norfolk County and project leader when this site was established over twenty years ago, pointed out that they are just over halfway towards their fundraising goal. They kicked off with $10,000 from both their club and from the Norfolk Community Foundation. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. “Having a fully accessible and inclusive site where children can play safely should be-and is-in my view equally important to all citizens in Norfolk,” Travale noted. If you’d like to make monetary donations towards this project, you can do so through the Norfolk Community Foundation which provides tax receipts for contributions. Ryder indicated that they plan on meeting with Norfolk County council soon. “We’re doing whatever we can to reach around 75% or 80% funding raised and ask if they can contribute what’s left so we can move forward,” Ryder explained. “We don’t want to wait until fall because then we’d be taking a chance on whether or not the splash pad makes it through summer-one more winter could cause further damage-and I’m sure daily costs for concrete are rising.” You can drop off empty containers at three locations in Simcoe: Royal Canadian Legion located at 200 West St., Haviland Automotive at 647 Concession Rd.14 , and another spot at Waterford Esso on Old Hwy24 (808). For more information about donations via Norway Community Foundation visit norfolkcommunityfoundation. com. Share this article in your social network
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