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The Demopolis City Council passed a resolution last week that will allow the Demopolis Rotary Club to move forward with the construction of a splash pad.

According to Jay Reynolds, a Rotarian who has played a large role in the project, said with the council’s vote, the club would move forward with its plan and possibly have the splash pad opened by early May.

The splash pad will be constructed adjacent to the playground at the City Landing park. The agreement states that once the Rotary Club has paid for the construction of the park, the City of Demopolis and the Demopolis Water Works Board will maintain it. The agreement also states the city would waive any associated construction fees.

Members of the Rotary Club have been raising funds for the splash pad for several years, with the last estimated costs to be in the range of $55,000 to $70,000. The project received a boost in 2019 with a additional funding from the Rotary Foundation.

The splash pad will encompass a diameter of about 45 feet, with 30 feet being the wet area. There will be 16 jets circling the outer edge with another eight in the middle and one large fountain in the center.

Other items discussed by the council included the following.

• Building Inspector Julius Rembert provided an updated on dilapidated properties.

• Public Works Director Barbara Blevins reported on updates to the LWCF park, which included installing fencing, tennis nets and basketball goals, and other landscaping.

• The council tabled discussions on a city golf cart ordinance, appointments to the Airport Commission Board and Hospital Board, and a discussion of Airport Industrial Park covenants.

• The council approved the rezoning of property at 602 S. Cedar Ave. from BL1 to B3 to allow for the opening of a gym.

• The council agreed to give Mayor John Laney authority to sign contracts associated with a sewer project.

• The council approved a request allowing the fire department to move forward with applying for various grants.

• The council approved to spend up to $14,500 for the paving of the emergency room area of Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital.

• A measure was approved to allow for changing city street lights to LED lighting. The topic was also addressed during the public comment portion of the meeting when Harold Park said his request in December to look into the lighting along Hwy. 80.

The council’s next regular meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 20. During that meeting, the council is expected to discuss the hiring of a new police chief. Three candidates for the position were introduced at a January meeting.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, February 13 issue of the Demopolis Times.)