Bridgwater area to get splash pad turned back on after jurisdictional dispute

After days of rallying on social media, it appears residents of Bridgwater Lakes will be getting their splash pad turned back on.

In a tweet Thursday afternoon Mayor Brian Bowman said water would be up and running Friday morning.

Bridgwater Lakes resident Elena Russo Rusak said the fountain was turned on just once this year, leaving her 2-year-old with just the backyard to keep cool.

“It’s lonely because he doesn’t have that connection with kids anymore,” she told Global News on Thursday. “He’s an only child and this is our opportunity to give him memories with kids and form relationships.”

Russo Rusak said she attempted to contact government officials but hasn’t had any luck getting answers in what turned into a jurisdictional dispute between the city and province.

She and other area residents started an online campaign through twitter called #TurnOnTheFountain.

Earlier Thursday, Bowman said the splash pad didn’t fall under the City of Winnipeg’s authority.

“The City of Winnipeg does not own the water fountain, it is currently owned by Manitoba housing,” Bowman said. “They can turn it on right now, as we speak.”

Manitoba Housing, which is the developer of the Bridgwater neighborhood and built the fountain, said in all new housing developments, the responsibility for public areas is eventually transferred over to the city after about two years.

“We met and exceeded this requirement, and maintained and operated the fountain for five years as a result of negotiations with the city,” a spokesperson told Global News via email.

“Discussions between Manitoba Housing and the City of Winnipeg related to the maintenance and operation of the fountain have concluded.”

While the splash pad will be turned back on, it is not clear is who will be taking responsibility for keeping it running, throughout the summer.