Community volunteers have launched a $1.85-million fundraising campaign to begin upgrades at a west Saint John park.
The Dominion Park Community Association says the multimillion-dollar revitalization will ensure the park remains a wonderful attraction for residents and visitors.
Derek Chaisson, volunteer chair of the community association, said part of the money for phase one will be used to build what they are calling an “adventure centre.”
“Over the past several years, we’ve gone without a canteen due to the 2018 and 2019 flood,” Chaisson said in a phone interview.
“This project will not only bring back a canteen but an adventure centre that will include leaseholder space and, ideally, we’re going to get a restaurant owner in there.”
The centre would also incorporate bathrooms and changing rooms, along with a community room for year-round rentals.
Chaisson said the remaining money will go toward reconstructing the lookout deck, which will be linked with a new playground.
The $1.85-million goal includes an anticipated $865,000 from the city, he said. The association has also applied for provincial and federal funding.
Chaisson said they hope to break ground next spring and, if all goes to plan, the new adventure centre should be open by the fall.
“The aim would be to execute phase one, go back to the community, make sure everyone’s happy with phase two, and then forge ahead with a new fundraising campaign for phase two,” he said.
Phase two, which Chaisson said is estimated to be $1.6 million, will include upgraded beach access, a new boat launch, and trail improvements, among other things.
He anticipates work on phase two will begin in about two years but said some of the upgrades could take place sooner depending on how well fundraising goes for the first phase.
“If COVID has taught us anything it’s that community assets, community places are extremely important for social fabric,” said Chaisson.
“With the history of Dominion Park, it’s due for capital investment. It logically makes sense as a good investment for the project.”
Donations for the project can be made through the Greater Saint John Community Foundation.