by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
The St. Joseph Park Board at its Aug. 27 meeting approved the basic concept of a splash pad for the city.
Splash-pad Coalition members at the meeting were happy about the council’s approval but said there is much more work to be done.
Coalition members Matt Killam and Jen Warnert said the board approved the concept.
“This however does not mean it is approved in its entirety,” Killam said.
The board asked the coalition to gather more information about costs, locations, long-term maintenance and more and then schedule several meetings with the board and the St. Joseph City Council.
“We expect the public to play a huge role in feedback throughout the process,” Killam said. “This is a great first step, but we still have an uphill battle.”
The coalition does not plan to begin fundraising for the splash pad until the council has approved the splash-pad plan in its detailed entirety.
Projected estimates total nearly $600,000 to complete the splash pad. The coalition plans to raise $200,000 and ask the city to approve the use of the half-cent sales-tax dollars for the remaining $400,000. The city would then be able to start the project after the coalition had raised $200,000.
The coalition is considering installing a splash pad similar to those in St. Cloud or Waite Park. One site being considered is Northland Park.
