PELL CITY —A $50,000 grant has been approved to help the city build a splash pad at Lakeside Park.“Tim Sweezey and I have been trying to acquire this grant for three years, so this money will be used,” Mayor Adam Stocks said.
The city must match the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant with at least $50,000. Early estimates for the construction of a splash pad is around $150,000.
Sweezey, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said the splash pad, also known as a zero depth pool, can be as big as money can buy.
He said most of the cost involved with the construction of a splash pad is underground water pipes.
“The cost is determined by the square footage, and the spray gadgets, spray nozzles, things of that sort,” Sweezey said.
He said it’s possible to build a splash pad with $100,000.
“We’re still in the design phase,” he added.
A splash pad is a large, concrete area, which can be any shape or size. The concrete pad, painted with cool seal, has a variety of spray gadgets that squirt water up for children to play in.
Stocks said the matching money for the splash pad could be budgeted in the next fiscal year budget or come out of a bond issue the city may seek in the near future.
Stocks said the city may secure a bond issue to build a new library, among other things.
Sweezey said the city will have one year to use the grant money, which was awarded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
“The kids are going to love it,” Stocks said. “It’s going to be similar to the one they have at the Birmingham Zoo. There is no risk of drowning, and it has a non-slip surface.”
Sweezey said the city will construct the splash pad next to the Kids Kastle at Lakeside Park.
“This time next year, if we’re experiencing 100-plus temperatures, it’s a great place to take the kids,” Stocks said. “This is something we’ve been trying to put in Lakeside Park for the past three years. Finally, we were awarded the grant.
Sweezey also said the splash pad is safe with limited parent supervision.
“I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s impossible, but with no standing water, it’s very improbable for someone to drown in a splash pad,” he said.
Sweezey said the splash pad would add another aspect of recreation in Pell City.
“It’s something with a water component, something we don’t have,” Sweezey said. “It enhances the recreation opportunities here.”
Stocks said a splash pad is a perfect addition to Lakeside Park.
“It will be a very popular place for kids, especially on really hot days,” he said.
Construction of the splash pad could begin as early as next spring, “or maybe sooner,” Sweezey said.
