Noah Johnson Daily Press The location of the former Webster Wading Pool and future splash pad is shown.

The plan to construct a splash pad in Escanaba has been delayed to 2025.

For years, the City of Escanaba Recreation Department has been in the process of developing the Webster Wading Pool into a splash pad.

The project first became possible when the City of Escanaba secured a DNR Trust Fund for the park in 2021, but the project has since hit snags delaying the construction.

The pad was most recently expected to open in 2024, but that has since changed.

The splash pad was originally set to be a $225,000 project, resulting in various organizations stepping up to contribute to the cause including Hannahville Indian Community, the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation, the Community Foundation For Delta County, and the Youth Advisory Committee

The department is also collaborating with Delta-Schoolcraft Great Start Family Coalition for the installation of a play area that features a reading buddy bench and a shaded cover.

The department was hopeful when it opened the bidding for the project, but it didn’t go as planned.

“Bids would have been open on July 16th, but no one bid on the project,” said Escanaba Recreation Director Kim Peterson.

She said that she spoke with a few contractors that were going to bid on the project, but decided against it.

“They stated the timeline of 2024 would not happen as it takes several months to get the equipment for construction and the poured-in-place rubber has basically tripled in price and would not be realistic to the project,” Peterson said.

With no contractors submitting a bid, the project must now be rebid.

“We are rebidding the project this fall/winter with a construction date of 2025 and will be having a cement/concrete surface bid, along with the poured-in-place rubber,” Peterson said.

When the project is rebid this fall or winter, the department will again have to get approval from the DNR Trust Fund before they proceed with the project.

“In addition, during the bid preparation, the city no longer has a city engineer on staff so we are contracting with C2AE for the prime professional work,” Peterson said.

The splash pad will be a welcome addition to the area, especially during the summer months.

“(The)funding has been secured and we are just waiting on contractors,” Peterson said.

Unlike the wading pool, the splash pad will not have standing water. Rather, it will feature sprayers among other water features. It is ideal for smaller or younger children, but anyone is welcome to get in on the fun. The addition of the pad also brings life to an unused area as well as providing parents or caretakers with another option for aquatic activities besides the beach or a traditional pool.

The site of the former wading pool and future splash pad is located at 1300 North 19th Street in Escanaba.