Parks Commission to go forward with splash pad for Centennial pool
SALEM — The Salem Parks Commission agreed Wednesday to go forward with an idea for a splash pad at Centennial Park, pending funding.
Plans originally discussed had been for a smaller footprint for the water play feature to take the place of the long-closed baby pool, but now the commission is looking at a 33-foot by 34-foot splash pad.
“I say the bigger the better,” Parks Director Steve Faber said.
Commission member Lucille Karnofel presented her research on costs last month and came back with a price for a bigger pad after she and Chairman John Panezott looked at the space where the existing baby pool is located and felt the original 30-feet by 15-feet size for the pad was too small.
The cost for the larger size from LAG Pools in Darlington, Pa. was quoted at $23,750. She also presented a quote of $7,400 from Jon Oliver Construction, Leetonia, for cement work. Park Foreman Jim Grimm said he and his crew could do the demolition of the baby pool to clear the way for the new splash pad.
A question had been asked at the last meeting regarding how much water would be required for the splash pad. East Palestine has a splash pad and reported usage of about half a million gallons a year or 6,000 gallons per day. Panezott said he had talked with Salem Utilities Superintendent Don Weingart about the water situation.
Faber questioned about electric costs and said they need to know what all the costs are for the project. He also talked about fencing and said he would prefer having a 6-foot fence like the rest of the pool area. The section around the baby pool area now is 4 feet. Grimm also said 6 feet would be safer and commission Vice Chairman Terry Hoopes agreed.
Karnofel said she’ll check on the electrical costs and get a quote for the fencing and report back. She wanted to try to get the splash pad installed this year, but Panezott said they can still have the regular pool open while work is being done on the splash pad.
According to figures she quoted from East Palestine, the number of people coming to the pool area more than doubled after the installation of the splash pad, with 8,900 in 2008 and 21,000 in 2016. Entry into the pool area and splash pad will require a fee, with a fee charged now for the pool.
In other business, Faber reported they wouldn’t be buying a bucket truck that had been offered for sale after the buyer decided he wasn’t selling it. Apparently the business is still using the truck every day because the new truck they purchased doesn’t have some of the features the old truck has. Faber said the parks department can still rent the truck for a daily rate when needed.
He also reported that city council held first reading on a resolution to place a recreation levy on the November ballot as a 1-mill renewal plus an additional .3 mills. Two more readings will be required for approval.
A list of proposed seasonal employees for the summer was approved. People on the list included: Chester “Jake” Gray, Jeff Greenfield and Jim Joy for the city lake; seasonal laborers Joe Kataro, Dennis Niederhiser and Jarrod Niederhiser; and Amber Smith, pool, and Debbie Goodman, pool cashier.
Recreation Supervisor Shane Franks updated the commission on plans for an Outdoor Sportsman’s Day at the city lake on June 17. He said he is now certified for the Passport to Fishing program through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and that will be part of the day’s events, along with archery and canoeing. He’s planning to consult with a local Boy Scout troop about a presentation on camping and see if he can find a hiking expert, along with finding vendors.
The next commission meeting will be 5 p.m. April 26 at the Memorial Building.
mgreier@salemnews.net