Some officials in Maumelle raise concern over proposed splash pad

The covid-19 pandemic has raised concerns among some city officials about the future of a proposed splash pad in Maumelle.

The City Council passed a resolution 6-2 on April 20 to accept a $50,000 donation from Ottenheimner Brothers Foundation that would go toward construction of the splash pad project, but only after a lengthy discussion.

Council members Steve Mosley and Jess Holt raised questions regarding annual costs of the splash pad, as well as the lack of finalized plans and a completion date. The council members also questioned whether it’s prudent to build a splash pad at this time considering the impact covid-19 is having on communities and city budgets.

Mosley and Holt eventually voted against the resolution.

“I am a no vote until I see plans, dollar and cents, and something in writing,” Mosley said.

Holt said he thought it is inappropriate for the city to begin funding a project with so much uncertainty surrounding the potential impact covid-19 could have on cities’ resources.

“Not good timing on our part,” Holt said. “We have other needs we need to be paying attention to. To me, this is too frivolous.”

Council Member Chad Gardner, one of the splash pad project organizers, said he wasn’t concerned about opposition from Mosley and Holt because they voted against the original concept anyway.

Gardner said construction should take only about three weeks, but officials are at the mercy of the installers and their timeline has likely shifted deeper into the year.

“We originally had a July 4th completion date, but with the coronavirus we don’t know the schedule for the installers,” he said. “We don’t know if they are behind and will need to catch up or how this will all work.”

Gardner said all city playgrounds are closed be

cause of covid-19. He said he would presume that would apply to a splash pad if it were open.

He also pointed out the splash pad also will use fresh water instead of recirculation, which was originally planned last year.

“The cost of the splash pad was going to be $280,000 for the retreatment setup,” Gardner said. “By switching to the pass-through system, which will be hooked up to Central Arkansas Water, that eliminates the entire need to treat the water and pumps that would have been a large maintenance cost.”

Gardner said funding for the splash pad has been completed thanks to large donations from the community. He said about $101,000 has been collected from civic groups and organizations.

“It’s all sitting in a bank account ready to go,” he said.

Mayor Caleb Norris said the city also appropriated $75,000 during the budget session for the splash pad.

“That is all that is coming from the city when it pertains to this project,” Norris said. “The council has already approved the splash pad.”

Gardner said the total price for the project is $164,995, but officials will continue to raise funds for additional elements such as a covered shade area with picnic tables

He said the project is going through the review process to make sure the design meets the city’s guidelines for construction.

The splash pad will be located next to the Central Arkansas Library System branch and Lake Valencia,

which puts it in the middle of the city.

“We are looking to give young families something to enjoy with their children,” Gardner said. “It will be free of charge and will be open for the surrounding communities to enjoy.”

Former Council Member Rick Anderson brought up the idea of building a splash pad about four years ago. Anderson wanted to add the splash pad as part of an all-inclusive playground, Gardner said.

“In the last year the citizen group working to fundraise suggested that we split

the project into two phases, with the splash pad being built first since we had funds available to do this,” Gardner said. “The second phase will be to continue fundraising for the all-inclusive playground that will be built immediately adjacent to the splash pad on the same piece of city property.”

Gardner said more donations are needed for the playground to become a reality.

“We raised $101,000, but all of that came from 10 or 11 sponsors and some civic groups,” he said. “We have a lot bigger balance left to go.”