BRADY FLANIGANStaff Writer

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave the go-ahead Monday for up to $68,655.90 in repairs to the Splash Island filtration system—a necessary expense to keep the city’s waterpark running safely and efficiently. Built in 2015, Splash Island’s filtration system has been working away ever since. Nearly a decade later, and it’s showing its age.

Parks and Recreation Director J.P. Kraft brought in Aqua Management Partners, specialists in Paddock Pool Equipment, to inspect the system. They came back with a detailed to-do list: replacing pumps, valves, gauges, worn-out hardware, clearing blockages, and deep cleaning the whole system. The baseline cost is $54,851.41, but that number could climb depending on what they find once work begins.

The funds will come from the Parks and Recreation Reserve Account, keeping the department’s general funds untouched. Kraft stressed the importance of getting ahead of bigger problems down the road, and the board agreed. Repairs are expected to start soon to ensure the waterpark is ready for its next busy season in 2025.