SplashDown Replacement Discussions to Take Place

Columbia Association has scheduled two public meetings to discuss replacing SplashDown and turning one of CA’s outdoor pools into a year-round indoor pool.

SplashDown has been a source of problems for CA since at least 2007 when the interior of the tubes had to be re-caulked. In 2011 CA spent $84,000 making repairs to the water slides after structural issues were found in the stairs tower. Also, a recent engineering study noted that slides’ tubes need to be replaced, an expense that would cost the CA at least $250,000, according to CA’s Aquatics Master plan.

In addition, the Master Plan notes that in 2011, general attendance of SplashDown amounted to 2,150 people and 419 birthday parties, a decline from 2007 when 5,000 people attended and 680 birthday parties took place.

The two meetings, scheduled for Oct. 24 and Nov. 27, will be used to discuss a new family friendly amenity to replace SplashDown.

The other issue to be discussed will be which pool to change from an outdoor pool to a year-round indoor pool. CA identified six pools that could become indoor pools—Dasher Green, Huntington, Jeffers Hill, Phelps Luck, Locust Park or Talbott Springs.

CA hired an Illinois firm to conduct two feasibility studies on the issues, which will be presented at the meetings, according to a press statement.

The meetings will take place on Oct. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Owen Brown Community Center at 6800 Cradlerock Way and on Nov. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hawthorn Center at 6175 Sunny Spring.

What should replace SplashDown? Tell us in comments.

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