A pair of entrepreneurs - one of whom is from Severn Township - would like to build an aerial park at Couchiching Beach this summer.
David Humphrys, of Severn, is the owner of Elevation Aerial Design and Consulting and has 20 years of experience creating aerial parks in both Canada and the United States.
He has joined forces with Ryan Gardhouse, owner of Ascent Sauble Beach, an aerial park that has attracted many people to that popular beach area for several years.
The duo would like to develop a facility in Orillia similar to the one at Sauble Beach.
“We envision Ascent Orillia becoming a key attraction to the waterfront area of Orillia, providing both residents and visitors of all ages a unique, exciting, family-oriented activity,” reads a report sent to the mayor and city councillors earlier this month.
“The design for Ascent Orillia is intended to provide a wide range of activities in a compact footprint. It is our goal to see Ascent Orillia located at a suitable location within Orillia park space,” notes the report.
They are suggesting the climbing apparatus could be erected, for example, in a small area on what has traditionally been a baseball diamond at the north-east corner of Couchiching Beach Park.
Because the aerial park is vertical in nature, only .3 acres of space (200 feet x 65 feet) is required, they say.
“We would work with the city and other stakeholders to identify the best location while striving to maintain the existing natural features of the park,” notes the report that was published as part of the council information package (CIP) last week.
The duo would like to build what’s called a multi direction design aerial park, which incorporates multiple elements at various heights within a contained space.
Participants would have the ability to choose their own path throughout the course, allowing them to challenge themselves according to their comfort level and motivation.
Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke said he and Coun. Ralph Cipolla hosted an introductory meeting, virtually, with the proponents of the project earlier this month.
“Those kinds of meetings happen quite regularly,” said Clarke, noting the goal is to “take the temperature” of an idea or plan.
A member of city council would have to pull the proposal from the CIP and win the support of a majority of city councillors to bring it to the council table and ask staff to look into the idea and come back with a recommendation.
The developers hope council does just that - and quickly. They would like to open this summer.
“While it is a tight timeline, we propose that Ascent Orillia open for the summer of 2021. As an experienced design, building and operational team we already have the systems in place to complete such a project on an accelerated timeline,” noted the memo to city councillors.
“The physical construction of the park will take approximately eight weeks and ideally start by the end of March 2021.”
The mayor said such a park would allow visitors and residents alike the opportunity to participate in a “wonderful and healthy outdoor activity.”
However, he says it’s uncertain if it will happen or not.
“I don’t know where it’s going at this point,” said the mayor.
OrilliaMatters asked the proponents some specific questions about the potential location, how the city would make money, how a land lease/agreement might work and other issues.
However, “because of the preliminary nature of the project,” the partners opted to provide the following statement:
“We are very excited about the possibility of building a partnership with the City of Orillia. Aerial parks provide outdoor activity for all ages while also being fully accessible,” they said. “We are in the very preliminary stages of exploring the opportunity and potential partnership with the city.”
