A contingent of moms is looking to bring simple, interactive and affordable water recreation to Carman.

Lynsey Hannah co-chairs the group and says fund raising plans and research are underway to install a splash pad in the community. She explains the concept has been talked about off-and-on for a number of years, adding the combination of local support and several motivated moms willing to do the leg work provided the perfect timing to move the idea forward.

"We have a lot of recreation in our community, we're a very active community (and) we're a very loyal community as well, I think in general we're wanting just an expansion of what we have already."

Hannah says the group did its due diligence in selecting a proposed location for the splash pad, consulting with a number of Manitoba communities that already have such a structure in place, and says the consensus is that a spot east of the community pool in King's Park would meet all of the requirements.

"Somewhere (within) a free park, easy access to washrooms and somewhere central in town."

She says there will likely be small changes made to the current pool office to allow for easy access to the washrooms.

While brainstorming a design for the splash pad, Hannah says the group is targeting all ages from kids in diapers to twelve years old.

"We want various zones to ensure that the small kids have gentle, non-intimidating sprays and mists but have more exciting areas with higher volume dumping elements and blasters for older children. We want our splash pad to be really interactive (with) lots of manipulating and surprising features."

While the final square-footage of the splash pad has yet to be decided, Hannah explains the group wants a number of natural features to be included such as animal and foliage designs.

Hannah goes on to say that the group has set a $250,000 to $300,000 budget for the project with a goal to fund raise half of the cost.

"Our hope is to spend the first two-hundred fifty (thousand) on the actual pad and water system and the designs, and we're saving the other fifty (thousand) for any changes that come up in terms of the pool office, landscaping needs, anything like that."

In fact, the first fund raiser for the project is already planned for April 20th. Hannah says the committee will be holding a small bbq at the Carman swimming lesson registration at the Community Hall.

"We think that's going to be a really good way to get the word out there and get some feedback from parents or caregivers who are going to be using the splash pad."

She adds the Carman RBC branch will be helping to sell hot dogs that evening as well as donating money to the project. Carman Co-op is also donating a portion of the food and supplies.

Hannah does note that brainstorming for additional fund raisers is ongoing.

The Town of Carman is also on board with the project, committing to pay the remaining fifty per cent of the bill. Hannah says it feels like Council understands that something like a splash pad is a destination attraction and that Carman families are leaving town to use splash pads already built in other communities.

"We definitely want to keep our families in town and give them another option."

Mayor Bob Mitchell says it's nice to see this group of keen, young people step up.

"Apparently there's lots of (families) in the community that go elsewhere on a regular basis, and of course the risk for the Town is that you go elsewhere for a splash pad and then you stop and shop and so it hurts our local businesses. We're seriously looking at this...we'll do whatever we can to accommodate."

The Mayor goes on to say that anything that gets kids out and active has got to be a good thing.

The goal is to have the splash pad up and running by spring 2018.