Coniston’s splash pad, such as it is, isn’t much to look at. An asphalt square and some green pipes that shoot water.
But that’s about to change. Lopes Limited, a fabrication company headquartered in the small community east of downtown Sudbury, announced this week it will be constructing and donating a splash pad to the community, with an eye to having kids splashing around this coming June.
“Lopes is sincerely committed to its community and has a strong corporate social responsibility,” Felix Lopes Jr., son of company founder Felix Lopes, said in a news release this week. “Giving back to the community and nurturing meaningful initiatives is a very important part of our operation and commitment to being a good neighbour.
“We believe in grassroots giving and supporting local initiatives with a particular focus that supports children, social welfare and accessible health care.”
The company said it will fund about 80 per cent of the project and also build it. The city is contributing $50,000 to the project through the Healthy Community Initiatives Fund. Once complete, Lopes Jr. has requested the splash pad be named the “Adelie Splash Pad” in recognition of his daughters.
Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh thanked Lopes on behalf of her constituents.
“We are so grateful to Lopes Limited for its generosity and continued support of these local initiatives,” she said. “This most recent Lopes gift will enhance recreational opportunities and the quality of life for residents of this community.”
By “most recent Lopes gift,” McIntosh was referring to the work Lopes did with Coniston Community Gardens. Last year, the company donated and installed a greenhouse in Centennial Park that would help support the work of the gardening group.
The splash pad is also located in Centennial Park.
Ryan Purdy, president of the Coniston Playground Association, expressed the group’s gratitude for the Lopes donation, and for the fundraising efforts of the Coniston Ladies Gala which helped raise money for the splash pad project as well.
“We appreciate that as a corporate neighbour, Lopes Limited has recognized the needs of the residents of this community and has not hesitated to step up to fill this one,” he said. “We are very fortunate to have Lopes Limited and an engaged community working together to build a better Coniston.”
Sudbury.com had great time this winter with Felix Lopes Jr. Lopes is an authorized Sherp dealer and he took reporters Matt Durnan and Heather Green-Oliver out for a ride. Check out all the fun we had together below.
