When the City Administration submitted the proposed 2009 Budget to the City Council in August of last year it included $1,700,000 for major recreational improvements. Of this amount, $700,000 was allocated for two water parks - one at Huber Park and one at Goosport Community Center. Instead of funding a third water park at University Park, the proposed budget allocated $400,000 for needed pool repairs/upgrades at University Pool and at Second Avenue Pool.

The City Administration felt that it would be more practical from a cost standpoint to spend money on these City pools and related improvements because of the need for repairs at these locations. An additional $600,000 was budgeted to fund the City's commitment to help finance the completion of the new Ward 3 Community Center at the Hwy 14 sports complex.

The budget was approved by the City Council in September.

The pool repairs/upgrades for the University Pool and the Second Avenue Pool have been completed and have been well received by the residents in the surrounding neighborhoods.

According to the City's project architect David Brossett regarding the Goosport Water Spray Pad:

"The Goosport Water Spray Pad was originally scheduled to be complete April 25. The original bid date and contracts were postponed due to Hurricane Gustav and Ike. This presented a delay in getting started last fall. After the project started, there was a delay in water park equipment delivery from the manufacturer. There were other delays that were beyond the control of the City.

"A final walk-thru occurred on Thursday, June 25, and the Spray Pad was fully functional that same day."

The Huber spray park, with City Council approval, was relocated to the Ward 3 Recreational Center area next to Adventure Cove Park. Percy Brown, Director of Recreation, recommended the move because Mid-City Little League requested two new baseball fields in the location where the spray park was originally scheduled to be constructed.

The Adventure Cove site was selected because it was felt that the addition of a water park would create a quality recreation site for children and families at the Hwy 14 sports complex and still meet the City's objective of providing a water park in the eastern part of the City. The new water park will be located next to the new playground which will include covered picnic areas and a wheelchair swing. It will also provide convenient access located next to the new $6 million community center at the Hwy 14 sports complex which will open next month.

These new facilities will also be served by the completion of Power Center Drive which is scheduled for next month. Once the road is complete these facilities will be accessible from East Prien Lake Road and Hwy. 14.

This new site for the water park was proposed at the agenda meeting on October 28, 2008 and approved by the City Council at its meeting on November 19, 2008. The action by the council also authorized the implementation of a joint plan between the City and the Ward 3 Recreation Board to build a skateboard park at the sports complex and a new Dog Park at the Enos Darbonne Community Center on Lake Street. The Council also approved an additional $40,000 for these projects in addition to the funds it had already included in the 2009 budget.

According to the City's project architect David Brossett regarding the Adventure Cove Water Splash Pad:

"Adventure Cove Water Splash Pad project started May 4 and is scheduled for completion on August 31. The project is currently ahead of schedule and should be complete by the end of July. The water pad equipment is scheduled for delivery July 13th and installation will begin shortly thereafter.

"The project consists of walks, a water splash pad, and covered pavilions. There will be 4 pavilions, one 20 feet by 20 feet and three 15 feet by 15 feet, and a wheelchair accessible swing.

"The pavilion fabric shade structures are scheduled for delivery the first week of July and should be installed after receipt.

"The swing was purchased by the City and is on-site. The foundation for the swing system is currently under construction. The swing area will be fenced and include robber fall protection."

The architect anticipates a completion date by the end of July.

In addition to these projects $1.9 million in bond funds were authorized for the 7 Park Improvement Program. The bid date of the project was May 20, 2008; the notice to proceed date was July 18, 2008; and the final inspection (job complete) date was May 31, 2009. All 7 park improvements were completed and all 7 parks are open - a completion ceremony was held on June 14 at Lock Park.

By the end of July it is anticipated that the City will have completed over $3 million in improvements to City parks and contributed an additional $600,000 toward a new community recreation center since August of 2008.