A park in Ayr, Ont. is reopening exactly eight months after a devastating tornado ripped through the area.
Cowan Park was left with extensive damage from the EF2 tornado that touched down on Aug. 17, 2024. Photos of the aftermath showed large light poles had been pulled out of the ground, soccer nets had been uprooted and debris littered the area.
Extensive cleanup efforts were undertaken by the Woodhouse Group, a local disaster response contractor based out the Region of Waterloo.
In an email to CTV News Kitchener, the township announced plans to partially reopen the park on Thursday.
The walking trail, skate park and outdoor fitness equipment will be available for use, however the playground equipment may not be accessible yet because the township is still waiting for a contractor to finish installing mulch. The work was supposed to be completed late last week, but the timeline was pushed back due to equipment malfunction.
The sports fields, including the soccer pitches, are expected to open by May 4, aligning with the normal start date for soccer season.
According to a report presented to council, the washroom facilities in the picnic pavilion will be operational the first weekend of May, as per usual.
The splash pad, meanwhile, is expected to open on the first Friday in June.
“We know the community is eager to return to this well-loved recreational space, and we’re just as excited to welcome everyone back!” Michelle Poissant, recreation and community services coordinator for the Township of North Dumfries, wrote.
She encouraged residents to keep an eye on the township’s social media accounts for amenity updates.
Cost of repair
While the cost to repair the tornado damage came with a hefty price tag, the township’s insurance covered most of the bill.
An itemized list included in the report listed a total projected cost of $331,438.96.
But the township’s director of leisure and community services, Karen Winter, said the township is only responsible for covering the $5,000 insurance deductible and the cost of tree installation.
To reduce costs even further, Quiet Nature and Dynacare Insurance Solutions donated the trees. Two others were planted through the township’s annual tree-planting program.
Hardware store planning reopening
Meanwhile, a business that was hard hit by the storm is also planning a reopening.
When the tornado blew through the community, it ripped some of the walls and a portion of the roof off the Home Hardware store on Northumberland Street.
The store was closed while they assessed the damage.
Recently, a sign was posted at the shop, read ‘Reopening summer 2025.’
