Dunmore Community Association revamps operations

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

The Dunmore Community Association presented an update on planned projects and on the association’s status to Cypress County council on April 20.
The DCA has taken steps recently to re-establish its organization including a new 11-member board of directors being elected in August 2020, and by February the DCA had updated bylaws, established objectives of the organization, establishing a DCA boundary and societal returns were filed for between 2018-2020.
“Our first challenge was to bring all of the Association documents and filing requirements up to date,” said Jody Phillips, DCA secretary.
The new board has established priorities to revive the DCA including establishing general memberships for the Association
“We need to energize the community to get involved,” said Phillips.
“We want to raise the level of awareness of the DCA and also build bench strength—so future board transitions are seamless, and initiatives can carry on.”
The DCA needed a method of communication to raise its level of communication for members and the public.
“We have developed a website that offers information on projects, the ability to participate in opinion polls and contact us directly with questions and concerns,” said Phillips.
The DCA can advertise upcoming events and educate what the Association does.
“Our goal is to be transparent and engage on projects and activities that are important to the community,” said Phillips.
Projects the DCA are looking into completing this year include addressing the safety concerns of the West Side Park playground equipment and the replacement of the outdoor shack at the outdoor skating rink.
“These projects were not only selected for their practicality, but because they are so highly visible,” said Phillips.
“We want to start a wave of excitement and anticipation?hopefully culminating in the revival of Dunmore Days,COVID allowing of course.”
The plan at West Side Park is to remove some existing equipment due to safety concerns and to re-use, repair and revitalize existing equipment, add new equipment and washing existing rock, add new half inch of pea gravel to small enclosure at the recommended depth.
“The show piece of the park will definitely be the elephant slide with the climbing wall,” said Olivia Whenham, DCA board member.
“This will be new and exciting for kids and really draw interest back to the park.”
The total cost of the park project is $60,000, with the DCA contributing $10,000 and after approving the request at the council meeting, Cypress County will contribute up to $50,000.
The outdoor shack replacement would come at a cost of $21,000 and would include on demand heat, insulated,vinyl siding for longevity and attractive and rink-facing windows so patrons can observe and monitor rink activities.
DCA also received council approval to proceed with the skate shack and work with administration on a design.
There would be the removal of the existing structure, the re-use of the electric heater, panel heating and timer, and add a 12-foot-by-20-foot concrete pad and garage package shack shelter.
Long-term projects include a bike pump track, the return of Dunmore Days and the outdoor rink upgrade/conversion.

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