City of Darlington officials are considering the new price for the long-awaited splash pad

DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) – The City of Darlington is considering a new price for the long-awaited splash pad, due to be completed in June 2024.

Executives said the price tag is now well over half a million dollars, and that’s because the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) requires a concrete pavement around the splash pad.

ABC15 reported in October that the city would have to spend an additional $112,174.19, up from a previous cost of $400,000.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, officials said $75,000 may need to be spent on the deck as well as plumbing, electricity and other items.

Currently this is the highest predicted price, but they may receive lower bids.

Councilor Sheila Baccus said she was fed up with the delays and thought councilors should have done more research before laying the first brick.

So we have done nothing but waste citizens’ money and in my opinion we need to spend more time planning, organizing, getting bids and doing it properly instead of trying to bypass DHEC and get approvals for drawings, which was necessary. If we had done all of that and followed the proper procedures, the splash pad wouldn’t have cost us so much money and we wouldn’t have the problems we’re currently having with them,” Baccus said.

City building official Sheila Marie said completion of the deck would have to wait until the warmer months return.

Ice formation can disrupt the bond between cement paste and aggregate.

Marie also suggested completing the project in two phases. Phase one was approved during Tuesday night’s meeting.

We’re now going to spend $22,000 on phase one, go back and try to get bids for concrete and parking for paving. “We have one offer now, but now they say they want three offers,” Baccus said.

The current estimate for phase two is $53,000 and will be used for concrete and parking.

City officials hope the price for phase two stays the same, but it could increase because the city must also pay all prices upfront to contractors.

However, Mayor Curtis Boyd said Senator-elect JD Chaplin is providing a $53,000 grant for phase two and then the city will receive a refund.