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City awarded nearly $1 million SLIFT grant for Rotary Park improvements; officials eye splash pad and shoreline projects
Summary
Officials said Lake Havasu City received about $1 million from the State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIFT) to improve Rotary Park access, ADA upgrades, parking and sidewalks; the city is considering a grant‑funded splash pad and has used other SLIFT funds for boats and launch facilities.
Lake Havasu City officials told residents on March 7 they received nearly $1 million from the State Lake Improvement Fund (SLIFT) for improvements at Rotary Park and channel‑side amenities.
Mayor Cal Sheehy said the SLIFT grant — administered through Arizona State Parks and Trails — will fund ADA accessibility upgrades, sidewalks and parking work near the Rotary Park entrance and that the city is exploring a grant‑funded splash pad at the channel entrance. City Manager Jess Knudson said the grant funds also have supported shoreline safety and launch improvements, including new police and fire boats and improvements to the Site 6 boat launch.
Sheehy described SLIFT as a funding source derived from a portion of fuel taxes related to watercraft fueling; he said the legislature swept regular SLIFT distributions after 2010 and that recent appropriations are made via one‑year legislative allocations championed by local legislators. City officials said they will continue to advocate for SLIFT dollars for shoreline, safety and access projects.
Knudson and Sheehy said the city is using a mix of state grant dollars and private contributions to ensure projects are completed while minimizing taxpayer impacts. Officials referred to prior SLIFT projects in the region and said similar funds have supported boat launches, campsites and restroom facilities on the Arizona side of the lake.
