HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) –During the City Council special session meeting on Tuesday, the Public Works Department listed the extensive repairs needed before Bluegrass Splash can reopen this summer.
The popular water park is run by Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation and had to end their season early in 2023 due to a leak. Public Works Director, Mike Perry, stood before the council listing the issues and costs they discovered.
The list of issues included repairing a 20-foot section of leaking pipe which will cost $33,150. Cracked support brackets on the slides also need to be repaired and the inside of the slides need to be re-caulked which adds up to $27,870. An issue in their pump house will cost $17, 590 to fix, and the pumps for the slides need to be rebuilt for $20,000.
These issues, along with in house repairs of small leaks, are estimated to cost a total of $103,610, but they are asking for a contingency, bringing the request to an even $125,000.
City CFO Melissa Clayton confirmed during the meeting that the funds are available in the capital reserve, although only $10,000 would be left after the money is spent.
“It’s time sensitive because if we are going to do it and get open this year, we’ve got to move on it pretty quick.” Perry said. He also shared that last season, the water park attracted 33,000 visitors, 77% of which were from out of town.
Councilperson expresses concern
Councilperson Jamie Lienberger, who works in the industry and is familiar with pipe repairs, expressed concern with the proposed plan to fix the 20-foot section of pipe. She said the method of repair was a quick fix and not the best method.
“It’s taxpayer money that funds it, and just putting a band aid on it one more time is not fiscally responsible,” Lienberger said after the presentation. “So, if we’re going to fix it, we need to fix it right.”
Perry insisted the estimate they were given would be a strong solution for repairing the pipe. The council was unable to vote on the allocation of funds during the Jan. 23 meeting due to it being a special session, but it will be added to the agenda for the next meeting.