The council voted unanimously last week to direct staff to do three things: research potential property that could be home to a splash park, put the project out to bid, and go loan-shopping.
Marathon City Councilman Mark Senmartin, who made the motion, said, “Right now, loan interest rates are very low. Money is almost free.”
Page 8 of the city’s FY 20-21 capital improvement program captured the council’s attention. The top three ranked — but unfunded — projects included purchasing a debris site where waste from hurricane destruction can be stored until it is trucked out of county, a third fire station on the southwest end of Marathon, and the 33rd Street multi-use facility and recreation center. In the past, city officials have said the 33rd Street complex could have event and meeting space, and possibly doctor offices as it is located across the highway from Fishermen’s Hospital.
The “Swimming Pool / Splash Pad” was at the bottom of the list. And yet a splash park is raised every year during budget season.
The potential project is only a blueprint, a way for the council to keep track of its priorities, said City Manager Chuck Lindsey. He said the purpose of the capital improvement plan is to fund projects that prioritize public health and safety and preserve capital assets.
“However, it is up to the council to re-rack these items. Sometimes the ‘nice-to-haves’ are overshadowed by the ‘need-to-haves,’” Lindsey said.
Three callers in the Zoom meeting all spoke in favor of the splash park.
“The splash pad needs to be a priority. Families are leaving Marathon because there are not enough amenities. I want you to be aware of that,” Chelsea Lyons told the council.
Councilman Dan Zieg suggested, not for the first time, that the city try to come to an agreement with the Dolphin Research Center to use its splash pad. Mayor Steve Cook asked if Crane Point Museum is willing to install a splash pad under a similar agreement.
“We’re interested, but we need to keep our employees employed,” said the City’s George Garrett, who also sits on the museum board of directors. “With COVID-19, we’re fighting to stay afloat. In a better year, the answer would be yes.”
Lindsey told the council it’s impossible to estimate the cost of a splash park without first identifying a parcel as it would affect construction numbers. He said the locales that make the most sense are Marathon Community Park and Rotary Park.
Other priorities were also added to the unfunded list of capital improvement projects: a boat ramp, a skate park with concrete ramps to replace the current wooden ramps and a revitalization project suggested for Coco Plum boulevard.
