The Hopkinsville City Council voted to keep Bluegrass Splash Family Aquatic Center closed for the 2026 season to address needed repairs or its possible closure at Thursday’s meeting.
Bluegrass Splash opened in 2007 for its first season, and while it has been a source of fun for the community, it has also been costly to keep it running. Hopkinsville Public Works Director Mike Perry says during the recent season, leaks were discovered in three pipes, which led to significant water loss. While evaluating the needed repairs, Perry says some of the pipes, especially those that travel underground, were not installed well.
Perry says all underground pipes are supposed to be encased in 12 inches of stone to avoid cracks, but none of the pipes he has examined have stone casings.
The water park has also never had a profitable season; Perry says most of the water park’s seasons have ended with a negative profit of around $75,000.
To conclude his report, Perry gave the council three options: repair the leaking pipes for $350,000 to $400,000; replace all underground pipes for $3.5 million to $4 million or forego any repairs and permanently close the water park. Regardless of the option selected, Perry says the water park would likely have to remain closed for the 2026 season while repairs are underway, so council members approved the closure.
Ward 4 Council Member Chuck Crabtree says community members should have a voice in this decision before the council votes.
Crabtree made a motion, which was approved, to create a committee of council members and citizens to gather community feedback and to further discuss those options at January’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
Ward 5 Council Member Amy Craig says if the community wants the water park to stay, then they should probably pick the second option. Although it would be more expensive to replace all the underground pipes, Craig says it would hopefully prevent the need for such frequent repairs.
If the council ends up approving the water park’s repairs, Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. says he would like to find a way to install a cover so it can remain open throughout the year.
Photo courtesy of bluegrasssplash.com