Aquatics park plans include splash pad, lazy river, slide pool
ALTUS – Bids were awarded by the city council for a major swimming pool renovation and the downtown park funded by MAPS II.
The awards were made at a meeting earlier this month.
Thompson’s Pool & Spa Center of Altus received the swimming pool bid which was $2.1 million. Specific plans call for construction of the mechanical room, repositioning the slide, replacement of the diving board, construction of a lazy river, splash pad, plumbing work and the permit fee which must be obtained from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
“This will be a drastic improvement for us,” Altus City Manager Gary Jones said. “It’ll be a major project. Right now, it’s a basic swimming pool and slide.”
Splash pad water toys and spray features will include water rain hoops, kids’ slide for use by toddler-sized children, mega bucket dump, water spray pedestals, turtle and frog kid ride sprayers, an 8-foot diameter water dome mushroom and Crayola water sprayers.
The Lazy River will be about eight feet wide and 415 feet long with a depth of 32-36 inches. Patrons will be able to float through the canal or can walk through it, sometimes against the current as exercise.
The wet splash pad, slide pool and lazy river will be a common body of water, enabling patrons to have easy movement from one area to another, according to the company’s bid. There will be underwater LED lighting throughout the canal so the facility can be used for nighttime events. Multiple waterfalls, ledges for in-water lounging and steps to access the island/splash pad areas from the lazy river and pool areas will be included in the project.
The island area will have shade structures and lounge areas adjacent to the splash pad area so children can be supervised from a comfortable location. The island area will be accessed by a raised, handicap accessible (no steps) bridge over the canal, as well as multiple exit points around the lazy river.
Downtown park
Meanwhile, the new downtown park development project was awarded to Red Sky Constructors of Edmond. The council accepted the $1.3 million bid.
Work will include landscaping, power for a portable stage, stormwater improvements, lighting, installation of pre-engineered shade structures, and site accessories such as benches. The park will also include a food truck pavilion large enough for three food trucks.
Red Sky listed a base bid of $1.1 million plus $187,000 for a grass paving system, $19,000 for an irrigation system, $6,520 for Fire Dragon Shantung Maple trees and $58,120 for the shade structures.
The downtown park development is one of several projects that are part of an Altus renaissance which stems from MAPS I and MAPS II programs funded with sales tax money. MAPS I served as city projects such as a new city hall and new fire station. MAPS II projects include quality of life projects such as the Altus Reservoir ($11 million), the downtown park, the Veterans Court Housing addition ($15 million) and new walking and jogging trails ($2 million).