BY Mid County Chronicle

The City of Port Neches is moving ahead with plans to construct a water splash park and the goal is to have it ready for use by the time schools let out for summer vacation.

Last month the council voted to purchase the equipment and have Kraftsman Playground and Park Equipment do the installation through the Buy Board.

City Manager Randy Kimler said by obtaining equipment and installation through the Buy Board, it would satisfy state bidding laws.

Last year the city council recommended that the Riverfront Development Steering Committee, who helped to come up with a master plan for the riverfront, be involved in this project as well.

In March council members approved a nearly $600,000 splash park plan, presented by the committee and LaBiche Architectural Group, but construction was not scheduled to begin until spring of next year.

The plan would include 33 different features and could accommodate three to four kids at each feature.

Last year the city council had also voted to demolish the city swimming pool due to the mounting costs of repairing and maintaining it and putting in a Splash Park in that spot that would compliment Tugboat Island. The demolition was completed earlier this year.

The City had appropriated between $200,000 and $300,000 for the splash park and the committee agreed to work this year to raise the remainder of the money needed for the project.

The committee is waiting to hear on the results of some grants they have written to help with the funding.

Kimler told council members that due to rising costs the price tag of the park as of Dec. 5 was at $704,524.15.

Included in this project would be landscaping and grass around the park, parking lot work, water hook ups, electrical hook ups and lighting.

Council members had set a goal of having the splash park completed and open by the beginning of summer 2008.

Council members agreed they want this for the area youth and that it would be an asset to the city.

Public Works Director Taylor Shelton said the city could probably reduce that cost by about $50,000 by doing some of the work. For example, the parking lot, which alone is estimated at around $20,000, could be done through street maintenance and repair and with assistance from the county.

When completed, Port Neches would be the second Mid County city to construct a splash park.

The City of Groves constructed a splash park on a 3,700 square foot pad at Chris Roarke Lions Park at 6200 Jefferson in 2005. It includes 11 fixtures and cost about $132,000, which was funded by the city's hotel/motel tax money.

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