Future of pool is uncertain
Red Bud’s splash pad project is continuing to move forward following a public hearing and special city council meeting Monday night.
City Code Administrator Jeff Mueller noted that the purpose of the hearing was to get the public’s opinion on improvement projects for Ratz Memorial Park.
It had previously been noted that while the city could apply for one of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) matching fund grants to help pay for a splash pad, a splash pad alone would probably not be enough to win one of these highly competitive grants. So it was recommended that, as all the work must be done for one project area, the grant application also include additional improvements for Ratz Park, which is where the splash pad would be located.
Mueller presented those in attendance at the hearing with a rough concept map of the park improvements, as well as a survey to rank the proposed improvements. (The splash pad was not included on the survey, as that is the main focus of the project.) He noted that the drawing was very preliminary and subject to change.
For more on the splash pad project, please see this week’s print edition.