HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Councilmembers had a productive discussion about the future of Bluegrass Splash Family Aquatic Center, which has been shut down indefinitely due to extensive and expensive repairs that are required to reopen.
During the July 23 Hopkinsville Committee of the Whole meeting, city officials voiced support for tearing down the water park, providing the community with an indoor pool at a different location and possibly building a splash pad. This discussion stemmed from the results of a survey that was conducted among nearly 2,000 residents.
Survey takeaways
The City of Hopkinsville conducted an online survey to best determine how the public felt about potential repairs to Bluegrass Splash and other recreational facilities that are run by the city. Here are some highlights that were presented by Parks and Recreation Director Toby Hudson.
- 1,895 surveys were completed over 14 days: 48% of participants live within the city limits of Hopkinsville, 29% participants live in Christian County, 15% “unsure,” 8% outside of Christian County
- 80% of people said Hopkinsville should continue to offer a water park or aquatic center.
- 76% of people said the city should build a new water park or aquatic center with updated amenities.
- 24% of people said the city should renovate the existing water park facility
- The top three amenities that people want at a new or renovated facility: Longer lazy river, improved shade and seating, wave pool.
- 74% of people said they would attend an indoor aquatic facility year-round
- 42% of people said that if the city chose to not invest in a water park, they would like to see it turned into a large indoor pool.
- 22% of people said that if the city chose to not invest in a water park, they would like to see it turned into a splash pad.
- 56% of people ranked aquatic facilities as the highest priority leisure amenity in the city.
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Pool vs. water park, possible location change
Reconstructing a new water park would cost roughly $20 million, while an indoor pool would be around half that price, according to discussion at the meeting. Public Works Director Mike Perry added that the average “life expectancy” of a water park that is properly constructed and maintained is around 25-30 years. Maintenance for an outdoor facility would be around double the cost of indoor.
As discussion about a pool was initiated, Councilmember Chuck Crabtree suggested that if they went that route, they may want to consider adding it onto the Sportsplex instead of the current water park location by Tie Breaker Park. Perry agreed that this would be an ideal location, adding that the city would have to buy additional land in order to expand.
But what will happen to Bluegrass Splash? If the city council decides to demolish, Perry suggested they surplus the equipment and bulldoze the rest of it, which would likely cost around $100,000. However, he believes that the actual entrance building and restrooms are in good enough condition to remain, and the area can be repurposed in the future.
Councilmember Brandi Stallons mentioned that the cleared lot would be a good location for a splash pad, which people seemed interested in as part of the survey. Perry said public works already has a splash pad in their five-year capital plan, and it would likely cost around $2.5 million.
It was decided in the meeting that public works would dive into more specific cost breakdowns for these potential plans and present them at a later date before additional steps are taken.
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