Town Council puts splash park to rest

The Thermopolis Town Council put the idea of a splash park to rest during their Tuesday meeting.

Town Engineer Heath Overfield stood before the council once again and presented the numbers to construct the splash park in the Bicentennial Park located downtown. The water feature was planned to increase activity in the downtown area by giving families a fun place to go during the summer months. The council originally set aside $100,000 to spend on the feature.

Overfield had been working on ways to reduce the cost of the construction, but in the end there was just no way to get the price to the $100,000 mark. Overfield presented the board with a final cost of $175,000 to $200,000.

Mayor Mike Mortimore said he felt it would send a positive message to the people of the town to have the feature, but also recognized it may be an expense the town does not need. Mortimore also brought up the way that the state’s economy is falling due to oil prices and coal revenues dropping. Mortimore recognized that residents would be upset the council just raised water rates and then wants to put in a water feature. He assured everyone that they are two separate items; money for the park could not transfer over to alleviate the rate increase.

Council member Mark Nelson felt maybe the council should wait and see what the next year’s budget would look like. Mortimore pressed that if the council does not get started on the project, it just may not happen, or the price would increase even more next year.

“I’m a little scared of the economy in Wyoming,” said Nelson. Nelson was very concerned about spending money the town does not have, even though Mortimore assured him the money was there.

In the end the council did not make any motions to continue forward with the splash park, and with a heavy heart the Mayor announced the project dead.

Other discussion included Stephanie Gilbert addressing the council during citizen participation about street closures during this year’s Octoberfest. Gilbert asked to close Broadway from the stoplight to Fourth Street and Fifth Street from Warren to Arapahoe during the hours of 8 a.m. on Sept. 24 to 10 a.m. on Sept. 25. The council voted in favor but told Gilbert to talk to the banks using Fifth Street for their drive up window to make sure the street closures will not interfere with their business.

Brad Morrison of the Recreation District was present with news of the recycling trailer. He said they have found a volunteer to take the trailer to Riverton. Concern was brought up by Morrison that he did not want to burn out the volunteer as he is making the trip every week. Kevin Skates from Hot Springs State Park said they may be able to help in the coming summer months but currently they are just unable to help due to budget cuts and that they are too shorthanded.