|
Why Re-Invent?
Andersen Water Park was an important feature, but costly to maintain and repair. The City of Saginaw opened Andersen Water Park in the summer of 1988. The park consisted of a wave pool, twin water slides, concession building, wooden deck, and bathrooms with showers and lockers. Attendance Peaked in the 1980's at around 60,000 attendees. By 2002, the last year the park was open, attendance had dropped to 37,000 with revenues totaling $152,145. The operating cost of the facility and concessions was $468,484 with a net loss of $316,339 for the year. In 2004, engineering studies estimated capital costs to prepare the park for operation at $295,000 before structural repairs and equipment related issues such as resurfacing. Task force members concluded that a children's splash park and skate park were the best alternative uses for the park.
Goals for the ReInvented Park
- Provide a safe, accessible place to play for people of all ages
- Within one mile of the proposed park there are more than 13,200 residents
- The site is accessed by public transportation
- 14.5% of residents within the City ages 5 and older have some form of sensory or mobility limitation
- 5.3% of all households include grandparents living with grandchildren – with about one-half being directly responsible for their care
- Planned Community Police outpost on site.
- Provide a lower cost, lower maintenance but higher use facility that will last 20-plus years
- Zero depth splashpads require reduced City personnel presence. Children are supervised by parents instead of lifeguards
- Removal of the wave pool reduces mechanical maintence and repair costs.
- Water is filtered and recycled to reduce consumption
- Provide an attractive, unique, water-based recreation feature that will bring even more people to Celebration Square and the Riverfront
- Only one other free water-based facility is available in Saginaw County, Saginaw Township spray pool, but it is restricted to children age 9 and under. This project will provide safe, low cost, low maintenance water-based recreation to ALL people regardless or age or ability to pay.
- Proximity ot Garber Tennis courts, Saginaw YMCA, Crayola Park, Ojibway Island, Children's Zoo and more builds on Family activites and attrations.
- This site is accessed by public transportation
Design
Phase Descriptions
- Phase 1 - Spring 2008
- Demolition of existing water features, concrete base, entrance building, exterior fencing and pump house building.
- Phase 2 - Spring 2009
- Construction of 4,000 square foot splash play park, winding paths connecting park features, picnic pavillion, and renovation of existing vending building for Community police outpost
- Phase 3 - Spring 2010
- Construction of 15,000 square foot Skateboard & Inline skate park, Children's Playscape, bocce ball court and Lake Linton Boardwalk.
|
