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Century Moves Foward With New Splash Pad For Showalter Park
August 18, 2015
After concerns that operational costs could be too high, the Town of Century is moving forward with a new splash pad at Showalter Park.
Century was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program to install a splash pad at Showalter Park. That amount will fund the installation of the watery playland, but not associated costs such was water and sewer. At a July council meeting, Mayor Freddie McCall expressed concerns that the splash pad might cost the town too much to operate.
The splash pad that Century can afford won’t recycle water — that feature would cost the town another $50,000 plus, McCall said. The splash pad that Century can purchase with grant money will use hundreds of gallons of water in just minutes. At a Monday night council meeting, McCall said the cost to operate the splash pad could reach an affordable average of $184 per week — calculating water and sewer expenses at the town’s cost since they operate their own water and sewer system. The splash pad will not be operational during the colder months of the year.
The council voted to move forward, accepting the splash pad grand and agreeing to pay the water and sewer costs.
McCall said the town will also install a restroom near the splash pad at Showalter Park, next to new playground equipment recently installed with a previous state grant.
Pictured: The Town of Century has been awarded a state grant to purchase this model splash pad. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
5 Responses to “Century Moves Foward With New Splash Pad For Showalter Park”
Ummm, am I the only one who read that the splash pad ” will not be running in the colder months of the year”? Which means someone’s calculations are way off…
This is a very bad move because everyday it is used I’m sure there will be trash left all over the place … This will be nothing but an eye sore !! Not only will it cost 50 grand a year to keep it up but probably an 25 grand to keep it clean … People that’s 75 grand a year that equals numb move
The maintenance will be a cost factor, replacing pumps, operating costs. Vandalism needs to be figured in the cost also. Kind of like they hated to turn down the grant but that is just the beginning. Like a free pet. No such thing. Not a responsible decision in my opinion.
Very dumb move by the council. I’m no business man but 184 dollars per week adds up to 10,000 per year. So in 5 years you would be at 50,000. Which is what it would cost to install circulating system. Bite the bullet and go ahead and do it now. Council members should be wanting to protect our water aquifers not just waste hundreds of gallons per day!!
I LOVE THIS!!! It’s really wonderful for our town improvement. It adds quality and something we can do with our children. Much needed since there’s not much else to do in our town. Thank you so much for making it work. God bless you all. We are grateful.