Presque Isle’s planned splash pad water park is set to start construction soon, with a slightly higher price tag than initially estimated.
At a July 5 meeting, the Presque Isle City Council approved the award of a $210,000 contract with Buck Construction to install a long-discussed splash pad at Riverside Park.
The installation portion of the project will be more than was originally estimated and will bring the total cost of the project to around $600,000, for the equipment, installation and building, according to Presque Isle Recreation Department Director Chris Beaulieu.
“We were aiming for $500,000,” Beaulieu told the city council. “It’s certainly a higher number than we all had hoped. … It’s more complicated to install this than most thought.”
Crews from Buck Construction have been at work on a building that will house mechanical equipment and they are expected to start work on installation with the splash pad equipment when it arrives on July 28, Beaulieu said.
Some city councillors expressed concern that the cost was higher than anticipated, but said they think it will still be a good investment in the community.
“It’s a little more than I hoped. But I think it’s going to be really great,” said councillor Mike Chasse. adding that Riverside Park seems to be growing as a destination with summer time events.
“It’s better than $2 million for a pool and then paying to have a lifeguard,” said council chair Emily Smith.
Officials aren’t sure when the splash pad will be ready for operation.
“It’s not likely that we’ll be splashing this year, is it?” Chasse asked Beaulieu.
“I’m hoping we are,” Beaulieu said, mentioning September as a possibility.
In other news from the Presque Isle recreation department, Beaulieu said that the city’s entertainment venue, The Forum, will have live music acts this fall.
“It’s been 10 years since there’s been a concert at The Forum,” Beaulieu said.
The “Make American Rock Again” tour will perform at The Forum on Sept. 3, with hard rock acts including Scott Stapp of the band Creed.
