Splash pads can be an expensive undertaking for some cities

Splash pads are becoming more popular in some cities across northern Ontario.

The water playgrounds feature sprinklers, water spray guns and even musical elements.

They're popular with kids and parents, who say they also like splash pads because children can cool off with little risk of drowning.

But the water parks don't come cheap.

The average Sudbury splash pad costs between $200,000 and $250,000 to build.

That's three times the cost of the most expensive traditional playground.

The city's manager of recreation said splash pads require wiring and water systems, which drives up the cost.

The city is continuing to build them to meet the demand, Cindy Dent said.

"We go with some of the trends that are happening throughout the country," she said.

"This is definitely one recreational opportunity that has really caught on, especially with children's playgrounds."

Worth the cost?

The downtown area Victory Park splash pad is the newest and the eighth one to be built in Greater Sudbury.

Dent said splash pads are usually paid for by a combination of city and donated funds.

Parents in Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay have petitions pressuring the city to build splash pads.

North Bay Mayor Al MacDonald said demand is high "because everyone else has one. But it always comes down to money and how you operate these and how you fund them."

MacDonald said the city is still deciding if the splash pad is even worth the cost.