April 8. The Lake Norman Kiwanis have selected Playworld Preferred, a Huntersville-based distributor of recreation equipment, to build the new Splash Pad in Smithville. Ground-breaking could be late this month, with a grand opening in time for summer. The Cornelius Town Board has agree to front the money for the splash pad at the Smithville Park, the Kiwanis will raise the money and pay the town back.
The approximately 1,300 sq. ft. splash pad will be similar to the one at the center of Birkdale Village where children will be able to escape the summer heat while playing in various types of interactive water fountains.
“We are very excited, not just for Smithville but for Cornelius as a whole,” Lisa Mayhew, co-chair of the Smithville Coalition said. “This will give us a great outlet for some of us to use the splash pad in the summer, until you guys give us access to the lake.”
The town of Cornelius will pay for the initial construction and ongoing maintenance of the splash pad while the Lake Norman Kiwanis Club will be responsible to raising funds over the next three years to pay back the costs associated with the build.
The estimated cost is $152,800 and cost an additional $15,100 annually to operate and maintain the splash pad.
