Discussion:
Shakopee citizens have been asking to add a splash-pad to available amenities for years. Confluence's draft Master Park Plan designs for Lion's Park include a proposed splash-pad. Aquatix is a subsidiary of Landscape Structures - the company that designed and built Shakopee's "Fun For All" all-inclusive playground. Greg Stoks works for Aquatix and he approached Shakopee Lion's Club proposing a unique opportunity for partnerships to realize this highly desired amenity for no cost to the City and low cost to the Shakopee Lion's Club.
Mr. Stoks developed a patent pending hydraulic activator system that improves efficiency of small splash-pads, and the company is looking for a community to install this new system for customers to see it in action. Mr. Stoks approached Shakopee about this opportunity because he knows our community - it's his hometown. Greg's father Dick was the founder of Olympic Pools and actively served the people of Shakopee with the Lions, the Jaycees, the Boy Scouts, the Knights of Columbus, and as a member of Shakopee's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Aquatix provides the system (to include hydraulic activator and all water play features) at no cost and with three year warranty in exchange for: construction completed early summer; labor and other needed materials for construction provided by others (Lion's Club); approval to photograph and video installation to promote the product; and testimonial upon completion of project about how great and simple to use the product is from city officials.
The Shakopee Lion's Club has committed to estimated construction costs not to exceed $20,000 in materials while leveraging experienced and skilled membership as volunteers for labor requirements. In addition, they've committed to maintenance costs to include water use fees. The Lion's have requested that the city consider covering reasonable cost for water.
The inclusive splash-pad will be installed at the sand volleyball site, and volleyball will be relocated to SandVenture. This location compliments the "Fun For All Playground" site and has no impact on trees, disc-golf, or other current amenities. This location is easily accessible from the parking lot and bathroom accessibility is also included in the scope of the project.
A splash-pad at Lion's Park is in the draft plans in Shakopee's Master Park Plan. This no-cost opportunity for that splash-pad will be lost to another city if Shakopee doesn't act now. This same splash-pad will cost taxpayers a minimum of $78,000 next year and likely far more. In addition, very unique opportunity for a public-private-public partnership aligns with Shakopee values and goals and it too will be lost.
A son of Shakopee (Greg Stoks) has approached a Shakopee service organization (Lion's Club) proposing a partnership with the City of Shakopee to benefit all stakeholders and especially Shakopee citizens - with an inclusive splash-pad that compliments the inclusive playground at no current or future cost to taxpayers.