Dan Pelletier thought this day would never come.
Standing beside supporters Thursday as they cut the ribbon to celebrate the TCAG's two new gazebos, the executive director was relieved he could finally provide daily shade and shelter for the 34 toddlers and preschoolers in the facility’s outdoor licensed playground.
“July 4 became Aug. 9,” he said, alluding to the promised delivery date from Lowe's Canada, and date the second gazebo finally arrived on the Richmond Street property.
Child care director Shelly Damude and Pelletier visited Lowe’s in Niagara Falls on June 14 and arranged to purchase two 10’x10’ gazebos at a cost of $4,345; which was paid in full by Visa, appearing on the TCAG Visa statement June 15. According to Pelletier, “Lowe’s and their agents confirmed delivery for July 2 and assembly on July 4; both services which were included in the $4,345 purchase price."
But the date came and went with no sign of the two gazebos.
"Shelly and I have attempted numerous follow-up calls and online inquiries," said Pelletier.
One gazebo was delivered, then after several frustrating weeks of emails and phone calls between the TCAG and Lowe's, the promised second gazebo finally arrived - more than a month late.
On Monday, July 29, in the evening, Pelletier said the Niagara Falls store manager arrived with a “complimentary pop-up gazebo for us to use until the second unit is delivered; and we keep the pop-up.”
He credited Darlene Edgar, director of family services at the Niagara Region, as well as Mayor Terry Ugulini and regional councillor Tim Whalen, manager at the Thorold Credit Union, for securing the financing for the outdoor playground.
“Over the last several years, we've been working on growing and improving the operation. This outdoor space was below our standard, so we started coming up with a plan to get this done.”
“Darlene has a great staff team that supported us and parents with fee subsidies and they respect the role we play as a service provider.”
“We're really pleased to see the change in the playground,” Edgar told the Thorold News. “And the kids can be out here on a regular basis now, and have some shade."
Tim Proctor of Turf Net Sport Supplies went “way above and beyond to supply and install this turf,” continued Pelletier, adding that while it was originally scheduled to be installed in early May, the turf was also delayed, by a month of steady rain.
Previously, “We'd tried re-seeding and re-sodding, and this was mud,” Pelletier added.
“Tim was here late evenings and on weekends with the crew. The impact this has had has been dramatic. Kids are out here playing in conditions they couldn't normally play on. The turf drains well and is super.”
TCAG board president Denise Palomba added, “This is so much nicer than it was. It's a beautiful playground.”
