Splashville closing for major renovation; waterpark getting pickleball courts, splash pad and interactive fun.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

There’s good news and bad news for kids looking to stay cool this summer.

The bad news is that Splashville – Stephenville’s only waterpark – will not open this summer while it undergoes a major renovation.

The good news is that Splashville is transforming into a really cool spot for families.

Daron Trussell, the city’s director of Parks and Leisure Services, told Beneath the Surface News that the project will take up to one year to complete and will include four pickleball courts, splash pad and four additional interactive play features for children.

The renovation includes transforming Splashville into an 1,800-square foot splash pad, which holds about 80 kids at a time and will require no city staff to operate the system.

Trussell said the concept will include features like interactive screens that allow residents to play soccer and hockey.

“It’s got a button where you can change what you’re playing,” he said.

The surrounding turf will include additional interactive features for climbing and an obstacle course and four covered pickleball courts.

“This will be something families can use year-round and it’s free,” Trussell said.

A second splash pad is being built at Optimist-Jaycee Park and is expected to open this summer.

The park has three playgrounds in separate areas and one of those will be made into a splash pad.

“We want to make the area as parent and kid-friendly as possible,” Trussell said.

“We want kids to be able to go back and forth between the playgrounds and splash pad and parents be able to see their child at all times.”

Stay tuned for more updates on these ongoing projects.