It’s been hot out, a perfect chance to cool off in the city’s Splash Fountain or Water Gardens. However, both popular attractions are still dry.
The city shut the facilities down last July because of problems with water pumps and filters, and they haven’t reopened.
According to Parks and Recreation Director Jay Ellington, a plan to fix both got preliminary approval last week. Next, the plan goes to the City Council, but final approval may not happen until August or September.
Ellington estimates repairs to the two facilities will cost around $1.5 million, which would come out of his department’s Capital Improvements Fund.
However long the process takes, Ellington is looking forward to getting both the operational again.
“These are just wonderful facilities for if nothing else, just to go listen to water and take pictures in our community,” said Ellington. “Hopefully it won’t take too long, but it will take a while in our process to get them back up and operating.”
As for why these facilities have been closed this long, Ellington says neither were properly maintained over the last couple decades, and both need extensive repairs to motors, pumps, and pipes.
There’s no timetable for re-opening according to Ellington.
