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City breaks ground on $8.8 million water park, Osage Centre improvementsThursday, May 21, 2009
City officials gathered at a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning at the Osage Community Centre for both the Family Aquatic Center and the Osage Community Centre expansion project, which consists of a large meeting room addition, expanded fitness area, walking track and renovated offices. Funded by a sales tax approved in April 2008 to fund park improvements, day-to-day park operations and storm-water controls for the city, the aquatic center is the "focal point, the anchor" of the program, said Mayor Jay Knudtson. For years, staff at the Parks and Recreation Department were frustrated with a lack of funding to accomplish any of their projects, said Parks and Recreation Advisory Board chairman Danny Essner. "It was frustrating to look at other nearby communities who were doing things we wanted to do because they had a parks tax," Essner said. Essner said the grassroots effort to get the sales tax passed came about because of support from the community and assistance from the city council on the process of getting the initiative on the ballot. The sales tax took effect in October. "We feel like our credibility is at stake here -- we had a responsibility to deliver what we promised, and to deliver it quickly," Essner said. For the grading and groundwork, the first phase of construction on the water park and the Osage renovations, the city has accepted a bid of $818,450 from Jokerst Paving and Contracting of Festus, Mo. The company will likely start work within the next few weeks, said Dan Muser, Parks and Recreation director. The estimated cost of both projects is $8,775,000, and no bids have been accepted yet for the actual construction work, phase two of the projects, Muser said. The aquatic center should be finished for a "soft opening" by next March or April, and officially open by May 2010, said recreation division manager Penny Williams. The parks board hasn't determined the cost of admission for the aquatic center, Williams said. "I can assure you it will be comparable to others in the area," she said. Plans for the water park include a play pool designed for children 8 years and under, a 700-foot lazy river with waterfall plunge pool, an open slide and an enclosed "tube" slide, a six-lane fitness pool, leisure swirl pool and concessions. The Osage Community Centre opened in 1997, built with funds from the hotel and restaurant tax. The first floor event hosted there was the May 1997 Parks and Recreation spring garage sale. The largest event ever held at the Osage Community Centre was the 2001 state Harley Owners Group rally, which drew about 3,000 people. Other major parks projects that will begin this year include new irrigation systems and other work at the Jaycee Municipal Golf course, a new community center near the Shawnee Sports Complex and renovations to the Arena Building. 388-3632 http://www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/ Pertinent address: 1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO
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Awesome! This is exactly what out of work families need! A water park they can't afford to go to. And paid for by jacked-up sales tax they can't afford either. All of this nonsense doesn't do much for Cape and SEMO's image statewide as a backwards backwater.
Why is the admission price not know yet. What did the feasibility study say the price needed to be? Did they do one? Or will this be the next money pit?
and the thing is...there are so many other water parks nearby...why does the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board get frustrated over not being able to do projects that do not belong in this town in the first place. To Heye's point, we are in the throes of a deep recession with unemployment approaching 9 to 10% and a $661000 shortfall in our city's budget. We have so many maintenance things to resolve in our parks, not to mention the snafu with respect to the city forgetting to convey requirements for lighted ball fields.
This will be the highlight of our Mayor's career.... can't wait to see the water park open only to fail due to low attendance!
At least the weather is always nice for a water park.
I'll buy season passes for my grandkids. We'll be there!
What a waste of perfectly good money.
I wonder what they left out of this, and how much more it will cost.
you all are a bunch of jerk wads. it'll be great to have a water park.
Complain! Complain! Complain! The tax was voted in for the very reason to build the water park. That is called progress, live with it. I personally will likely never use the water park but it will be a nice addition for kids and family. If more people would support instead of complain, it just might prove to be a worthy project.
$8.8 Million? All I'll say, is it better be a HUGE water park, and not some flip flop with a wading pool. Speaking of which, reopen the wading pool at Arena park. It'd be a great place to cool off the kiddies and the parents after scouraging around the park all day this summer.
I still think that if a water park in Cape was such a necessity and had even a remote chance of being profitable, a PRIVATE company would have come in and built one already. This thing is doomed.
I personally am excited about it. Yes, there are other parks around, but Cape is the closest city to us. If we don't have to travel, that saves money & IF they set the admission to a reasonable rate, my family & I will be there!
Although I'm excited about it, I can understand the hesitation of others. It is a LOT of money to spend on something that would be considered a non-necessity in today's recession.
I made several trips to the Farmington water park with my grandkids. If this one is anything like that one it will be fantastic and so much closer. The one in Farmington was packed every time we were there and people came from all over. I think this will be a great asset to Cape and surrounding communities.
What are they going to do about the traffic situation at that location? We don't need another traffic light right there. This is a horrible location. But, at least it's only 3 months out of the year. What a waste of taxpayer money.
Daily ticket price will need to be high to help pay for this money pit.
Oh and the city brain trust is banking on the assumption that families who come to the waterpark stay overnight in local hotels and eat at local restaurants. This will be a day trip destination with packed lunches and coolers. Better put up some picnic tables and extra trash cans out in the parking lot and recharge for readmittance.
"Frustration" is what I feel when I take my children to the park and worry about them needing a tetnis shot after playing on the rusty swings and slides.
"Frustration" is what I feel when I can't find anything about swim classes on line for a month (error message: HTTP 404 The Resource Can Not Be Found). Then I call the city manager's office and they say they just put out a press release (It's on this park - I see their priorities are so high on this they can't even hear that I'm looking for swim classes being held NOW in one of their neglected parks.) Then I call the parks and rec department, who snippilly say the info is on line even though I'm looking at the error message.
"Frustrating" is the lack of a clue from anyone at city hall about the real needs of the community.
I think this will be a great place for families to go. It beats driving to St. Louis to Six Flags or to Farmington. I think this place will be busy. We will be there!!
Be thankfull they are building something for families to do in our area. The closest LAKE is at Poplar Bluff. The closest WATERPARKS is Farmington and Poplar Bluff. I would rather my children (teenagers) hang out at the waterpark all day then to run the streets and possibly get into trouble. This is something that we as FAMILIES can do together and keep the money in our own community and for those who can not afford to travel to other locations, this is perfect for them. I agree, the location stinks. I think it should have been at that big open lot by the highway on the north side of Cape County Park. Give it a chance for crying out loud!
TommyStix,
I agree...this IS probably the worst location. Personally, I think it would look much better where the CURRENT Super Walmart stands. (I-55 Folks, it's our BEST Advertisement) You want tourist?? Want them to spend money?? Build "IT" along the interstate. We can't buy that type of advertising.
Hide the ugly stuff in the middle of town!
This park will operate 5 months than close for the winter. The up keep will be extensive and the majority of the year it will be collecting dust and rust. As one poster already mentioned it will be a baby sitting service as well. I get a kick out of some here who say it will be a great Family place. I see parents dropping off their teens for an all day romp while mom and pop work!
It will also be an eye soar during the off season.
When our City leaders figure out how to operate within their means and repair what we already have in place then maybe we should visit the idea of a water park but this will end up being a boomdoggle and it won't be profitable otherwise the private sector would have built it! Frankly I think once built, out of town users should have to pay a higher price to attend. City users should be 1/2 price!
151,ooo SQ. FT.??? Thats only 3.5 acres!! The Rubbermaid plant (building) in Jackson is 775,000 SQ. FT. You cant tell me the Parks and Rec department in Cape can't use that money for improvements to existing parks or replace some junk equipment. What about replacing some of the crappy restrooms that litter the parks and ball fields now? Maybe the city "heads" should take turns using the arena park bathrooms everyday. My Chihuahua is to scared to use them!!
How do you sign up for reduced admission price?
On a more serious note. How are they handling the concessions? Will the city operate or will they sell of these rights to outside vendor. Or are they going with a management firm who will handle everything including life guards, security and concession.
Secutity will be costly since it would need to be 24/7 and year long. This would be a great place to hang out at night in the winter months. Remember the 70s show? Keg party in the empty pool. Nobody will be able to see us.
Aw, now GREYWOLF ... Would that be fair ... "out of town users should have to pay a higher price to attend. City users should be 1/2 price!" ... considering this is being paid for, I guess, by a sales tax, and the majority of people living within about a 30 to 35-mile radius work and do most of their shopping in Cape?
Just ribbing you ...
I hope they budgeted the lights. Did anyone check?
Gurusmom,
Yep your right we certainly can't charge higher prices for out of towners however it sounded good.
I think this was a bad idea however, many in my pack disagree with me. I think we will all have to wait and see what impact this will have on the local economy. For all I know it may be a very positive addition to this area.
"I hope they budgeted the lights. Did anyone check?"
-- Posted by FrankLeeSpeaking on Thu, May 21, 2009, at 12:18 PM
LOL! No! But they did forget to budget for the water! LOL!
Wow and just 2 years ago we begged for an ice rink that would have cost around 2 million or less and we proved a way that the athletes would have paid the bills and we were told no. Thanks Jay
I am for this waterpark. For one at least it is something for our kids to do. For two because we have NOTHING for kids to do in this town. Nothing at all. What take a pic you wanna go to a park. I have small kids and I wish we had a roller rink or an ice rink to take them to. But we have nothing. Enable to take them to a indoor playland we have to go to Mcdonalds. It is crazy. So I am for whatever they bring our way for kids.
I think it will can be something nice it will all depend on who is taking care of it and how well the people act who go there. If it starts getting a bad rep it won't take long for it to go under. WHAT CAPE REALLY needs is a skate park like the one in Farmington. It is amazing! and it is in the back yard of the police station The ones who go there go because they want to skate or ride their bikes not to cause trouble. They have soda machines and picnic tables and on the weekend they have concessions plus there is alot of shade to watch all the talent. It is sad for the size of Cape and what they call a "skate park" plus they put it right in the middle of where all the drugs are sold real safe place for kids to hang out
Mega
Good one on the water. Along with the water and lights I hope they figured in concrete as well. Just don't want anymore "surprises"
Also I wonder if they will allow Baby Ruth's to be eaten in the pool area?
Well, i voted for the tax to build this waterpark and i hope that it will serve the community well. However I am perturbed that we are not keeping the money here by using local contractors. Nothing against Jokerst, but we have contractors here that possible could use the job. I hope in the future we use local people to build this Waterpark and keep the money in our local Community.
Good grief, Cape is sooo far behind the times. Next, they'll want to build a buggy whip factory out on Nash road...Well, who is selling the ice cream? Maybe the City can make some money by selling the ice cream concessions. Family who pack lunches don't pack ice cream, and all kids want ice cream...Really, how many grandparents actively take their grandchildren to these water parks? Why take your planning tips from Farmington? Let's be a leader and not a follower in this region...
The water park issue was put before the voters of this great city and it passed! There was a sales tax increase just for this park. I voted for it, and I am excited about it.
The head park guy said on TV the other day that their hope would be that the fees charged for entry would cause them to break even. Come on, nay sayers! Give us a break!
jacksonjazzman,
I agree. Maybe they could hock $8 lukewarm beer in a plastic cup too! Beer turns pee clear so the kiddies in the pool will not know the difference.