Popular Shreveport Attraction Could Reopen Soon

UPDATE: This project has been delayed. The contractor that bid to do the job could not get bonded. The city is hoping to work that out and get moving on the repairs as soon as possible.

ORIGINAL STORY:

SHREVEPORT, LA - Good news for the riverfront in Shreveport. City leaders are moving forward with a plan to bring back a popular attraction downtown that will make youngsters very happy.

The spray park area at Riverview Park will now be repaired and turned back on to give local folks another option for recreation and cooling off along the river front.

KEEL News asked SPAR Director Shelly Ragle:

What's the projected budget for making the repairs?

She says it will cost about $900,000. She says "the scope of this project is to supply and the installation of fountain mechanical and electrical equipment as necessary to bring the two interactive water features that were originally constructed in 2003 at the Riverview Park back to working condition, including all LED ring light fixtures in the fountains switch valve back operational."

Ragle has also told us these repairs will be made to make sure future flooding along the Red River will not render this spray area inoperable again. She tells us "the biggest change is removing the air powered nozzles and replacing them with updated new assembly that includes a DMX controlled electrically actuated valve and light assembly. Also relocating the electrical control panels to above grade, previously all controls were located in an underground equipment vault, which was damaged each time it flooded."

Ragle also says there is new technology for LED lighting at the spray park that could coordinate with the lighted Texas Street Bridge.

Jets and valves that were using an underground air compressor will be replaced with programmable electric valves and controller.

What's the timeline for making the repairs?

Ragle says the  contract calls for 120 days for completion once the notice to proceed is given. The bids on this project will be opened on November 9, then it will take another 30-45 days to complete the contracting phase. We hope to give the notice to proceed by December 15, if possible.

This means the spray park could be open before the summer of next year.

The spray park has been closed for more than 8 years as a result of repeated flooding that damaged the underground control systems. Ragle is optimistic these repairs will be able to withstand future flooding.