The kiddie pool was torn out today, and a new splash pad will sit here this summer.

By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The deconstruction of the old kiddie pool at Wellington Aquatic Center for the new splash pad opening this summer is in full swing, with today’s first good construction day in a while.

In the meantime, the Wellington City Council approved making the new splash pad free to the public at all times despite the fear that it might reduce attendance at the primary pool.

City officials are cautiously optimistic that the pool construction can be completed by May 8. Despite initial delays, the pool hopes to open to the public on Memorial weekend.

“The early stage of this construction process has been less than ideal with the loss of several days of work due to the extreme cold and wind,” said Jeremy Jones, Wellington Public Works Director. “Also, the concrete removal was several inches thicker than we previously expected.”

Dondlinger Construction had the heavy equipment today, including a crane. The old concrete was being removed.

Once the new pipes are installed, concrete will be poured around them, and the rest of the basin and sides will be prepped for repainting.

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At its Tuesday meeting, the council discussed how to operate the splash pad in relation to the pool for 20 minutes. Ultimately, the council voted unanimously to make the splash pad free to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Council members Mary Lucas and Cindy Antonich were not in attendance.

Two options were brought to the council:

•Option 1, which was preferred by staff according to a memo written by Jones, would open the splash pad before 1 p.m. When the pool opens, the splash pad would be closed off and operated as part of the pool with paid admission. It would then open free when the pool closes at 7 p.m.

“This allows the area to be monitored during pool hours but does not require an additional lifeguard,” Jones said. “It also prevents the likelihood that pool patrons will want to leave the pool during hourly safety breaks for the splash pad and re-enter the pool later.”

The splash pad would not be considered part of the pool during off hours and free to the public during parties, swim team practice and meets, and swimming lessons.

•Option 2, which the council went with, is to operate the splash pad separate from the pool at all times and make it free.

Jones worried that doing so would require wristbands for children, who would leave the pool area. This would create more logistical issues for the lifeguards working and some safety issues at the splash pad because the children would be unsupervised in the area.

However, councilman Rick Roitman warned those at the meeting that the splash pad was always advertised as free. Closing it during public pool hours could be a public relations problem.

That sparked a discussion about having children who were unsupervised by parents. Pools have been used as babysitters for many parents since the beginning of time. If an unsupervised 3-year-old wanders to the splash pad without city staff present, whose responsibility is it?

However, other communities, such as Caldwell and Winfield, have free splash pads and do not have any issues.

Wellington Mayor Joe Soria said he remembers delivering concession items to the old pool that was torn down in the 1990s. He said the kiddie pool was separated from the big pool then, so there was precedent for the separation.

Council member Jan Grace said she preferred option 1 for the time being but eventually opened it up to option 2.

“It’s a lot harder to offer something free and then go the other way,” Grace said.

Still, she voted with the majority and voted for option 2.

Soria said the splash pad could be used by people passing through Wellington who just wanted to stop for a short break for the kids.

The splash pad will be open a month before and after the pool opens and closes. It will be operational from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The council plans to add signage stating that an adult must accompany young children.

“We have many signs,” said Cody White, Wellington Recreation Director. “That doesn’t necessarily mean people read them.”