COLD LAKE – A request to bring playground equipment back to Meadowlark Park in Brady Heights is moving forward for budget consideration, but City of Cold Lake officials say the rising cost of playgrounds and future replacement expenses will weigh heavily in the decision.

During its October 27 regular meeting, Cold Lake City Council voted unanimously to refer the request to its 2027 budget deliberations, following a presentation earlier in the month from neighbourhood residents Terry Melnyk and Nick Gervais.

The two residents appeared before council on October 13 and asked the City to restore playground equipment removed about 15 years ago.

They explained that the neighbourhood has experienced an increase in young families, with an estimated 15 to 20 children, primarily between the ages of four and ten, now living nearby.

Without playground equipment, children have been playing and riding bicycles near residential streets. The residents believe restoring the playground would provide a safer gathering place for neighbourhood families.

Playground Costs Have Climbed to Nearly $250,000

During the October 27 discussion, Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Nagoya explained that playground construction and replacement costs have increased significantly.

“You’re approaching now basically each parkette is close to a quarter million dollars,” Nagoya told council.

He noted that inflation, material costs and tariffs have contributed to rising prices.

According to administration, a typical playground replacement now costs approximately $225,000, compared to previous years when the City could replace multiple playgrounds within its annual budget.

A playground quotation included in council’s supporting documents totalled $199,427.13, including equipment, installation, site preparation, freight and GST. That quotation was for the Lakeridge Park project, rather than a proposed Meadowlark Park installation.

Nagoya explained that even if council decided to restore the Meadowlark playground immediately, installation would not be feasible until 2027 because of winter conditions and equipment delivery timelines.

City Must Balance New Playgrounds With Existing Parks

The discussion also highlighted a larger challenge facing Cold Lake: maintaining and eventually replacing playground equipment throughout the community.

Nagoya reviewed the City’s Open Space and Linkages Plan, which examines the distribution of parks and playgrounds across Cold Lake, including 4 Wing Cold Lake.

The review found that Cold Lake has a relatively high concentration of playgrounds, particularly in the southern portion of the city.

In Brady Heights, several playgrounds are located within the service areas of existing neighbourhood parks.

Other developing areas have fewer playground options.

Nagoya said council must consider whether restoring a playground at Meadowlark Park should take priority over adding equipment to neighbourhoods with fewer recreational amenities.

“I don’t know if the community can kind of financially sustain that level of throughout the entire community,” he said while discussing the concentration of existing parks.

The City’s park inventory also requires updating, with administration acknowledging that several newer playgrounds are not reflected in the existing maps.

Donations Could Help, but Future Costs Remain

Council also discussed whether community fundraising or private donations could help finance a playground.

When asked whether a community group could raise approximately $250,000 to build a park, Nagoya confirmed that such an arrangement would be possible.

“The answer black and white is yes,” he said.

However, he explained that council would still need to approve accepting the donation or playground structure because the City would ultimately become responsible for maintaining and replacing it.

“Council would have to agree to accept that money because it becomes your structure,” Nagoya explained.

He cautioned that while donations can cover initial construction costs, they do not eliminate the City’s long-term financial responsibilities.

What Happens Next?

Council accepted the residents’ October 13 delegation as information and voted to refer the playground request to the 2027 budget deliberations.

The decision does not approve construction or commit funding to the project.

Instead, council will have an opportunity to consider Meadowlark Park alongside other recreational infrastructure priorities and the costs of maintaining existing playgrounds.

For families in Brady Heights, the decision keeps the possibility of restoring their neighbourhood playground on the table as Cold Lake begins planning its 2027 spending priorities.