In about four weeks, Dawson County citizens will have a new place for cooling off on a hot summer day.
The Dawson County Rotary Club, along with county officials, broke ground Thursday on a splash pad at Rock Creek Park. A ribboncutting is scheduled for Aug. 14.
Its hard to believe its really coming to fruition, Rotary Club Past President Vernon Smith said. A lot of people have worked very, very hard. The Rotary and county and everybody who worked really, really hard, thank you so much. Im hoping the kids of Dawson County will enjoy this, and it will represent the Rotary and Dawson County for many, many years.
Smiths idea for the splash pad came after watching his grandchildren play outside with a water hose.
Dawson County Commission Chair Mike Berg thanked Rotary for its contribution to the community. This really is a benefit to citizens, Berg said. Citizens and children are going to be able to use this. What a wonderful gift for Rotary to give, and it really is a lasting edifice. It is something thats going to be here for a long time. Thank you, Rotary, thank you board of commissioners.
The splash pad will cost the county $350 a year for insurance. All other costs are being donated by Rotary Club. Etowah Water and Sewer Authority is donating the water for the splash pad.
Etowah Water and Sewer Authoritys General Manager Brooke Anderson and Rotarian Ken Grosch served as architects for the project.
At the groundbreaking, Anderson described what the pad will look like:
The pad will be a 40-foot diameter circle with a patio surrounding it. It will have 11 different water features, six jets on the ground and five above ground. It will operate with a button users can push to activate the jets. The features will be stainless steel and painted with powder-coated paint. Everything about this park is going to be top-shelf stuff, Anderson said. Were trying to make this thing last, look good and function well for the kids.
Traditionally, the pad will close in early September. However, weather-permitting, Rotary plans to keep the pad open until the end of September.
Anderson said he feels confident the work can be done by Aug. 14. We want lots of kids playing and having a lot of fun, he said.