OTHELLO – The loss of the Othello Community Pool, at least temporarily, has left Othello residents hungry for a place to cool off in the heat of summer. Relief is on the way, say city officials, in the form of a new splash pad at Kiwanis Park.
The city is waiting on the Department of Health to issue a permit before construction can begin said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan. “We’ve had that request in for over 6 weeks, they say it takes 4 weeks,” he said. “Our goal was to have it by Memorial Day, by the last day of school would be exciting. But even if we don’t it will be open this summer,” he added.
The splash pad will be located in the south portion of Kiwanis Park, near the existing restrooms and parking lot. Conceptual renderings show interactive elements designed to represent Othello’s history. Railroad themes, similar to the new playground in Lions Park, and a feature modeled after the city’s iconic water towers are prominent. Two locations are under consideration. Option one would place the pad in the grass area no more than 100 feet from the existing restrooms. Option two puts the pad where a swing set currently exists, near the restrooms and the south gazebo. Option two requires the relocation of the swings.
The project is “at least 90 percent” funded by state and local grants, according to Logan. “We’ve been waiting on the ‘Build America by America’ waiver and that took forever,” said Logan. “It’s around a $400,000 to $500,000 project,” he added.
Click on the images below to view larger renderings of the proposed splash pad:
