Commission weighs Splash Pad at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center; recirculating system raises cost concerns
Summary
Staff presented a proposed $600,000 Splash Pad at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center; commissioners heard that a recirculating system could add more than $250,000 to initial estimates, and staff emphasized designing features that avoid requiring a lifeguard on the non-guarded pad area.
The commission reviewed several Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center (VMAC) capital items, including pump and shade replacements, slide refinishing and a proposed $600,000 Splash Pad to replace a sand play area. Staff described operational benefits — less maintenance and fewer sand-related pool maintenance issues — and highlighted design decisions that could affect whether the pad would require a lifeguard.
Commissioner Kate Carroll asked whether the Splash Pad would be recirculating; the director said the initial quote was for a non-recirculating system and that adding recirculation would add over $250,000 to the project cost. The Aquatic/Fitness Supervisor noted the department’s preference for keeping the splash area non-guarded and emphasized careful selection of features (height and slides) to avoid adding lifeguard requirements.
Staff said they will research operational costs and water usage over the next five years to determine whether the higher initial cost of a recirculating system would be justified by long-term savings. No final decision on the Splash Pad design or funding was recorded in the minutes.
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