Project Update: June 13, 2025

When we started building the Overlook Park Splash Pad, we imagined the joy it would bring to families spending time in the heart of our downtown each summer. Unfortunately, ongoing complications stemming from the original construction have been a continued source of frustration for City Council, staff, and our community.

Since our last update, City Staff have worked to both pursue legal action against the original contractor, and to bring in professionals to diagnose the issues that have prevented it from opening. The Splash Pad has a recirculating system, which means that the water is collected, treated and sent back through the system, like a pool. The ongoing issue has been the system’s failure to maintain safe chlorine levels. Despite various attempts to produce a working project, the contractor was unable to deliver, and the City terminated their contract last fall. Our own investigation identified leaks throughout the pipe system that are likely causing the system not to function. The water loss throws off the balance of sanitizing treatments, and the system automatically shuts off to maintain user safety.

We are giving the contractor one final chance to deliver this project by July 25. They have identified a program of repairs they believe will result in an operational Splash Pad, without requiring reconstruction. If they can produce a feature that meets public health requirements, the Splash Pad will open this summer. If their fix does not work, our remaining option will be to complete demolition of the existing pad, repair the leaks and rebuild. If we end up in the demo and rebuild process, the Splash Pad will not open for the 2025 season.

Regardless of the ultimate solution, the original contractor will be paying for all repair work. We know this project has been a huge disappointment for our community, and we hoped to have better news to share today. We look forward to celebrating with you when the repaired Splash Pad opens.