Buda’s first city-owned splash pad may be ready by the summer.
By a unanimous vote, the Buda City Council Jan. 18 approved a $286,148 contract with Vortex Inc. for the purchase and installation of the city’s splash pad, which will be located in Green Meadows Park on the east side of town.
According to officials, the total cost of the entire project is $359,000. Officials estimate the splash pad could be ready for the public by June, weather permitting.
“It’s very exciting because this is the first project of its kind on the east side of Buda,” Greg Olmer, Buda Parks and Recreation director, said at the Jan. 18 meeting.
Amy Koch, a representative from Vortex, said the project underscores the importance of water to a community as a vital natural resource for life and play.
“Water moves us, it moves us physically and emotionally,” Koch said.
Koch said the total $286,148 cost for the project includes the cost of the equipment, installation and training for the parks staff in charge of maintaining the water feature. The remaining $72,852 will go toward construction of the restroom facility and a pump station.
Koch described the 1,400 square foot splash pad as a completely immersive water experience with 717 square feet of active spray space. The splash pad will feature water cannons, cascading water designs and interactive jet streams for 28 to 56 patrons at a time.
Koch said the timeline for the project would be roughly a total of 10 to 12 weeks including the manufacture of the equipment, the training for parks staff and construction of the splash pad at the Green Meadows Park.
Council member Lee Urbanovsky questioned the cost of water used for the feature and if that cost was included in the Operation and Maintenance cost estimate for the project.
Buda Assistant City Manager Chance Sparks said the city anticipates an annual $15,000 for operations and maintenance costs. The city estimates a 2 percent "water loss," which is water that cannot be siphoned or reused due to evaporation or water on swim suits, Sparks said.
Buda council member Wiley Hopkins asked about the safety of the water feature as well as its drainage capabilities.
Koch said the feature was “very safe” with no trip hazards or external components that could be tampered with.
Koch said the estimated construction start date is mid-March.
Council member David Nuckels showed interest in the splash pad design saying, “It will be great especially if you can get it built by summer time for the kids.”
“It’s an aggressive schedule but we feel confident that if we get it approved we can get it done,” Olmer said.
Buda Mayor George Haehn questioned whether officials had investigated security camera options to deter tampering with the proposed water feature.
Olmer said one of the FlashCams purchased for the Jackson Tyler Norris Skate Park could be moved to Green Meadows Park.
“”This is exciting stuff, it’s what makes our town livable,” Buda council member Paul Daugereau said.
Buda’s splash pad is being constructed as part of the city’s Proposition 5 Parks and Trails improvements.
Proposition 5 is part of the city’s $55 million bond initiative that was approved by voters in November 2014.
