Groundbreaking for the Woodman Aquatic Center Splash Pad Shade Shelter was held

Groundbreaking for construction of the Woodman Aquatic Center Splash Pad Shade Shelter was held Tuesday (March 24).

A gift from the Rotary Club of Richland County is financing the shade shelter and the staff of the Richland Center’s Department of Public Works staff will erect it. Users of the splash pad have loads of fun. The fun will be more comfortable in the weeks and years ahead by having relief from the hot sun. 

Project discussions began between Jodi Mieden, Parks and Recreation Director, and Keith Behling, Rotarian, in 2024 during the very intense summer heat. To cool off, Jodi saw splash pad users crowded in the shadow cast by the building. This triggered the initiative to build a shelter. The original plans for the center included the concept of a shade shelter but was removed from the bid package to reduce initial construction costs. The 2024 idea was to erect a pre-built wood shelter building. The 2026 shelter will have colored fabric in the roof to blend in with other features on the pool side of the chain link fence.

Two other shelters have been built at two kayak/canoe landings along the Pine River with Rotary Club of Richland County funding. One is at Wedgewood Park, Bowmann Drive, and the other is at the Richland County Fairgrounds. The Rotary Club of Richland County is also responsible for Rotary Lights in the Park, the largest project of the club which brings thousands of visitors between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve to Kroskoup Park. Its success depends on several volunteers. Do you have an idea for our area?

The club has a community grant program. Up to $2000.00 could be donated if club members approve the written request. To find details about sending a request, or how to be a volunteer, go to the club’s website at www.rotaryclubofrichlandcounty.com