A possible water park in Brewton is one step closer to reality.
Connie Baggett, Brewton’s director of program management, told members of the Brewton Kiwanis Club Tuesday that the public will soon see the first conceptual drawings of a possible park.
“We should have plans within the next two weeks to show to the public,” Baggett said.
City officials recently toured a similar facility in Fayette. The site – which features slides, a lap pool, a lazy river and splash pad – is larger than what city officials said could be built in Brewton.
“They average 350-450 people each day from neighboring cities, and they’re booked each night by locals for private parties,” Baggett said. “We don’t have the money to build a facility of that size right out of the gate, but it was good to see it in action.
“We’re going to have to start small and add to it as (money) allows,” she said of the city’s possible project. “Now, we’re looking to see if we can replicate (Fayette’s) success. Our plan is to take (the project) in phases based on what we can afford.”
In February, the city held a public meeting about the plan that could construct a major attraction at the city’s Dogwood Municipal complex.
Fayette’s facility was constructed in 18-months and is in its third summer of operation. The $2.2 million park was funded through a city bond measure and was recently expanded because of its success.
Admission cost is $10 per person, and the facility is open from Memorial Day through August.
The City of Brewton contracted with Goodwin, Mills and Caywood Engineering and St. Louis-based Counsilman-Hunsaker to perform a feasibility study.
At the February meeting, Lovelace confessed the council was “skeptical” of the water park idea.
“That would be a big undertaking, and we have to make sure the people are behind it – no matter what the decision is,” he said previously. “We have to find something that is the right size. Maybe it’s not a water park. Maybe it’s ball fields. We need to look at different options, but we need to do something.”
Lovelace said he envisioned a $250,000 facility featuring multiple play areas, patios, a concession area and restrooms.
Baggett said the city will announce the dates of the public meetings in the coming days.