Pirates Cove Water Park and other parks could get an upgrade under a plan to bring more funding to parks and recreation in Englewood.
Among proposed improvements: an innertube water slide that would replace the six lap lanes in the pool, the addition of a four-lane “Mat Racer Slide,” a leisure pool with an open recreation area for water basketball, volleyball and a waterfall.
The makeover of Pirates Cove would cost more than $9 million dollars, according to the city.
And, it’s not the only improvement that leaders in Englewood are discussing. In all, the city envisions $50 million dollars in improvements.
The big question is how to pay for it. City leaders are in the early stages of discussing bringing a bond to voters that would ask them if they’d pay more in property taxes for better parks and recreation.
Christina Underhill, director of Englewood Parks, Recreation, Library and Golf, said if the city council moves forward with the idea, the bond could be placed on the ballot as early as November.
“The final decision will be made by the city council in June 2024,” Underhill said.
Improvements would also be made to Englewood Recreation Center, including a new surf simulator that allows guests to practice surfing and bodyboarding, roof improvements, a pickleball court, updated locker rooms, improved landscaping, a spa and a new pool deck at a cost of more than $10 million.
Other parks on the list for improvements include: Barde, Belleview, Centennial, Clarkson-Amherst, Cushing, Emerson, Miller, Northwest Greenbelt, Rotolo and Southwest Greenbelt parks.
Voters would need to approve a 4-mil property tax increase to fund the $50-million slate of improvements.
A breakdown of the bond:
- Parks enhancements: $26,684,230
- Pirates Cove enhancements: $9,090,030
- Englewood Recreation Center: $10,455,000
- Construction use tax and permitting: $2,450,703
- Project manager for 3 years: $450,000
The city said the bond, if passed, would cost a typical homeowner around $26.70 annually for every $100,000 of a home’s value. That’s $133.50 annually for a home valued at $500,000.
Underhill said a previous parks and recreation bond for $13.6 million sunsetted last year.
“That bond helped build Pirates Cove and expand Malley Recreation Center,” she said.
The prior bond cost homeowners about $84 annually for a home valued at $500,000, she said.
Underhill said parks and recreation staff plans to reach out to the community at events to provide information on the proposal.
“The potential bond is an investment in the health, well-being, and prosperity of Englewood and all of its residents,” Underhill said. “Every resident will be able to enjoy the benefits this bond could bring to the Englewood community.”
For more information on the projects, visit the city’s website.