Council OKs bid advertisements for splash pad

Pea Ridge may have man-made waterfalls and rain by next summer, because of action by the City Council at the regular meeting Tuesday, July 17.

The Council unanimously approved opening bid advertisements for a Pea Ridge Splash Pad, predicted to open in summer 2019. Mayor Jackie Crabtree said the splash pad will be funded by a $93,000 matching grant from Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, with the match provided by Pea Ridge in-kind services such as equipment and labor. Hired consultant John Mack, principal architect with JKJ Architects in Rogers, said the splash pad will not require an attendant, will use similar rules as pools and close at dusk.

Street superintendent Nathan See said the splash pad will use sensors to operate when people are present, will use a filter system to recycle water and reduce that cost, and will require monthly PH-level tests, which his department will conduct.

City resident Glenn Swanson asked if the splash pad could be used as a skating rink in the winter.

Crabtree said, “No, it would not be cost effective.”

Mack said a pre-bid conference will be held on-site July 31, and bids will be due Aug. 9.

In other business, the Council:

• Voted to suspend the rules for the reading of Ordinance 619, which is to accept a final plat of Willow Run subdivision, and upon the conclusion of three consecutive readings, the ordinance passed unanimously. This subdivision will be along Arkansas Highway 72, will abut Maple Glen and Oak Ridge subdivisions, and will consist of 19 duplex lots; and

• Unanimously approved Jim Brown’s request to vacate the western end of Hillcrest Road, which is fully within property owned by Brown. Brown said he will build a home on the very spot where the road used to end and all the lots, 41-51, will become one property.