Haliburton Rotary’s $200,000 makeover of Skyline Park has gotten a major boost from the park’s owner – the Ministry of Transportation.
Haliburton Rotary said on May 20 that the MTO will fund new, year-round accessible washrooms in the park. The building will replace seasonal, May to October, portapotties.
“We are delighted that MTO, the owner of Skyline Park, has stepped up in a big way with funding for the washrooms, one of the key elements of Rotary’s Skyline Park initiative,” said project committee chair Chuck Wheeler.
Committee member Jerry Walker added, “we also want to thank MPP Laurie Scott for her assistance behind-the-scenes in securing MTO funding. She has been a big supporter of the project from the get-go.”
Scott said she wanted to thank Haliburton Rotary for “their dedication to work with MTO to give Skyline Park a muchneeded makeover and beautification. Congratulations to all the members of Rotary for giving us a clearer view.”
Over the next three years, Rotary is planning the following improvements to the park for tourists and residents to enjoy: removing trees and brush to improve the view (in progress); repairing the broken concrete on the existing viewing platform (done); constructing extensions to the existing viewing platform; creating a new upper-viewing platform to accommodate people with mobility issues; building two new picnic pavilions with concrete pads and covered roofs; the washrooms; 13 lots left providing new benches and picnic tables (partially complete); improving pathways using recycled asphalt, which will not erode and is more accessible (partially complete); parking lines to indicate regular and handicapped parking spaces; creating designated bus parking that allows for safe and easy turnaround for tour buses; installing display boards, highlighting the community’s history and current attractions; and improving safety fencing and signage.
The project is being funded by the Haliburton Rotary Club, and through grants and donations.
“If you buy a Rotary car draw ticket, you are supporting our Skyline Park project,” said Rotary president Sue Collings. “We are also grateful for the grants we have received from the Haliburton County Development Corporation (HCDC), which has provided several generous Local Initiatives Program grants,” Collings added.
The project has also been a recipient of grants from the Rotary District, which the local club is a part of.
“Retailers have also stepped up to provide building materials and project supplies at a reduced cost to the project and we are grateful for their continued support,” Rotary member John Beachli said.
Rotary Club members have financially contributed to the project with their time and wallets, and the project has had a $5,000 donation from a local resident who supports the initiative.
If you are interested in financially contributing, or learning more about the project, e-mail haliburtonrotary@gmail. com.
