HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Generally opening Memorial Day weekend each year, Hopkinsville’s local water park will not be accessible this summer for the first time in nearly 20 years, impacting plans for local and regional families. The city has officially formed a committee, including a youth representative, that will help determine whether they will invest millions in repairs or shut down Bluegrass Splash Family Aquatic Center.

In December 2025, Hopkinsville Public Works confirmed that multiple leaks popped up at the end of the summer, which would cost around $400,000 to fix. Before the 2025 season the city spent over $100,000 in repairs after local youth rallied behind the investment, which is just a fraction of the issues the city has faced with the water park over the past two decades.

A full fix to replace all underground pipes would cause upward of $4 million, or the city could permanently shut it down. Public Works Director Mike Perry previously laid out the history of repairs at the water park, breaking down how the initial construction set them up for failure.

Bluegrass Splash Committee established with youth representative

Via executive order, Mayor James R. Knight established the Bluegrass Splash Committee during the May 5 city council meeting. The committee will be comprised of individuals from the city council, community leaders, and residents.

The committee includes Councilmember Jason Bell, Donald Marsh, and Clayton Sumner. Among community leadership is Nikki Chambers, Becky Dearman, Chelsea Hahnefeld, Shannon Lane, Terry Parker, and Payton Rogers. Representing the general public is youth member Chi’Coreyonne Brodie.

Brodie, a local teenager, had previously addressed the city council during the Jan. 20 meeting about Bluegrass Splash. He suggested the council forms a committee to evaluate the city’s needs by working directly with residents. He said, “Personally, I would love to see the water park torn down and rebuilt.”

That was not his first time speaking about this issue, as he was part of the group of local youth who pled for repairs two years ago. At the time, councilmember Chuck Crabtree publicly asked Brodie he would be interested in serving on the committee.

The executive order states that the committee shall expire upon submitting its final recommendations to the Mayor and Hopkinsville City Council.

Bluegrass Splash was constructed in 2006, opening Memorial Day weekend of 2007. The water park is home to Hurricane Alley which has two large water slides, as well as a splash zone, wading pool, and lazy river. In recent seasons, the park sees an average of 500 visitors a day during the summer.

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