Hartsville may expand splash pad into water park
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Hartsville City Council held a special meeting February 21 and got their first look at concept designs for a water park expansion near the Piratesville Splash Pad.
In May of 2016, Council approved an expenditure of $46,800 in Hospitality Tax funds for this water park expansion design package and contracted with The Weber Group of Louisville, Kentucky.
Mayor Mel Pennington said Hartsville selected Weber because the city hopes this future water park will be a truly unique place for residents and tourists to visit and enjoy.
“We wanted to create a place that was amazing enough…so that when you walk in, you forget you’re in Hartsville and think you’re in the Caribbean,” said Pennington.
Adam McIntyre, architect and designer with Weber Group, presented a concept centered around tropical island salvage, styled to evoke a ramshackle Robinson Crusoe aesthetic.
The initial concept design boasts several “deep water” features including a wave pool with an activity area and a shallower lagoon, a lazy river, and a water slide. The park would also offer “nesting areas” like a hammock lawn, group seating pavilions, retail and restaurant sites, and a large open lawn for activities.
With these deeper water pools, McIntyre said the city could use the park for multiple purposes, such as exercise classes, events for senior and special use groups, and training exercises.
“We see a number of municipalities use these great degrees. Once they get this asset, they use it as much as they possibly can,” McIntyre said.
Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Andrews asked about park capacity, and McIntyre said it could hold between 1,000 and 1,200, but the park would feel most comfortable with between 900 and 1,000 guests.
“You get over 1,200 people in there and you’re gonna start to feel it,” said McIntyre.
On the regular agenda, Council passed first reading of Ordinance 4286 to issue general obligation debt in an amount not exceeding $700,000 for planning, renovating and constructing various road intersections located in the city.
Council also passed first reading of Ordinance 4285, amending city codes related to the removal of abandoned and derelict vehicles and levying fines on violators. Under this ordinance, a vehicle which left on a public right-of-way for 48 hours can be considered abandoned, and vehicles kept on private property (not in enclosed structures or garages) can be considered derelict if they are not registered with SC Department of Motor Vehicles.
Violators of the derelict vehicle law will be notified in writing and given 30 days to rectify the matter, after which time they could be fined $500 or have their vehicle seized by the city.
Council member Teresa Mack voted against this ordinance, citing concerns about the potential for unequal enforcement.
