Spencer County officials hear splash-pad proposal; court agrees to put project out to bid

A vendor presentation to the Spencer County Fiscal Court outlined plans for a new splash pad and adjacent park improvements, and commissioners agreed to take the next step of putting the design out to bid.

Representatives described a system with user-activated water features that can be sequenced to encourage movement and limited by a controller to prevent overnight operation. The vendor said above‑grade components ship earlier than the in‑ground features and estimated about a 14‑week lead time for the above‑grade items; staff said in‑ground work (concrete footers, plumbing) would be prepared in advance to shorten installation time when equipment arrives.

Commissioners and attendees focused on operating costs, safety and maintenance. One commissioner asked for daily water‑use estimates to calculate ongoing utility costs; a resident asked whether the pad could be opened year‑round with commercial heaters and whether the pad met playground safety and surface requirements. Staff advised that the splash pad is a concrete surface (not a playground surface) and suggested fencing to limit access when the pad is closed. The court also discussed whether restrooms should be built adjacent to the pad; one commissioner estimated an additional $100,000 for restrooms and related site work, though final costs will depend on design choices.

The vendor said warranties vary by component, that the company provides training so county staff can handle routine maintenance, and that the county could purchase different above‑grade feature sets to refresh the site annually without full replacement.

The court directed staff to finalize dimensions and feature lists so the county can solicit “apples‑to‑apples” bids, and the county will post the project for competitive bids. No formal appropriation was made at the meeting; court members said funding and grant opportunities will be pursued once bids are in hand.