The Duncan Banner

Local News

July 26, 2012

Splash park projects still on the board

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — When Fuqua Pool opened in May, Douglass Pool remained closed.

But that shouldn’t have been a surprise as City Manager Jim Frieda said in a council meeting in June 2011 that it would not reopen this year.

Dana Schoening, Duncan Community Development director also reconfirmed that this week.

“It won’t be opening,”

In need of repairs and low usage by the public were factors weighed when city officials chose to cease operations at Douglass Park pool.

It was estimated at that time, the repairs  could run upward of $8,000. Issues included cracks in the pool and a lack of handicap accessibility. Also, daily use was from 4 to 18 people.

Schoening said some of the children who have used Douglass Pool in the past are now using Fuqua Pool or the Hillcrest Park splash park this summer.

The splash park has been a popular addition in the past few years.

“We haven’t gotten any calls about the closing,” Schoening said.

There are plans in place to add a splash park in the existing location, which would give residents in that area of town a recreational water feature to enjoy.

But that water feature won’t be expected this summer.

In fact, in 2011, the initial plans put in place by the city meant building a larger spray/splash park just north of Fuqua Pool.

At that time, Schoening said $250,000 was budgeted for that particular project, and a grant was written for the same amount.

After that project was completed, city officials planned to focus on Douglass Park’s splash park project.

Schoening said this week that efforts are being put forth to get funding for the splash park projects.

The City of Duncan applied for a grant through the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

“Right now, the Tourism Department hasn’t made its decisions yet,” Schoening said.

He said the department will go through a selection process to see which community projects it may want to help fund.

If the city does receive grant money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for outdoor recreation, the city will have to put up some money for the project. The grant is a matching grant.

Schoening said the fund would help save the city money that can be put toward various budgeted items.

“I hope the department sees it our way,” Schoening said.

He said the city probably wouldn’t find out about the grant until after Aug. 1. But he’s positive about the situation.

Schoening said the Douglass Pool area has everything needed to add the new water feature. He hopes the addition of the splash park will help ignite more interest in the area.

“I think it’s an excellent location,” he said.

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