Posted on July 28, 2022
Early Closure of Coral Cove Water Park, July 31, 2022
Water Parks, such as Coral Cove Water Park, have a general lifespan of operating systems. Generally outdoor water parks have a lifespan of 20 years. The water park at Simkus Recreation Center opened with the center in 1990. It had a “facelift” with new amenities in 2002 and was branded Coral Cove Water Park. The water park is currently 32 years old.
Extensive renovations and improvements need to be made in order to efficiently operate Coral Cove Water Park in 2023 and beyond. The construction bid process expanded over four months. The hired engineers and project managers, after assessing all mechanical systems of the water park, the length of restoration work, availability of materials and delays due to weather, have estimated the project construction timeline to start August 2022 and end just before May 2023.
Mechanical systems, such as the filtration and air handling systems, are over 30 years old and need to be replaced. The filtration systems include circulation pumps, strainers and system controllers, in addition to supply and exhaust vents, water heaters and water connections. Some of these improvements will require cement work.
The zero-depth pool gutter system needs structural repairs. New liners will be installed in the leisure/lap pool, slide plunge pool, dive pool and kiddie splash pad. Typically, a liner lasts ten years. Coral Cove Water Park main leisure/lap pool liner is 17 years old, well past its useful life.
The project engineers suggested to the Park District Board and staff to work through the 2022 summer season because of the duration of these renovations and improvements. The Park District Board voted unanimously to delay the project so that Coral Cove could open to patrons in 2022, but they had to agree on closing the water park early in order to begin the project and not be delayed for the 2023 season.
It was suggested on social media that we are just doing “behind-the-scenes” maintenance, and “why couldn’t we do this when the kids are back at school?” The decision of the Board and staff to close early was not an easy decision to make, but it was an important decision to make in order to keep Coral Cove Water Park open and operating efficiently for the next decade. What needs to be understood is if we can’t improve these mechanical systems at the water park and there is a major break down, the water park can close permanently. To build a new one would require a resident vote, and if favored, followed by two to three years for planning and construction. We do not want to see this scenario.
The Carol Stream Park District, as a good steward of the community, works hard to take care of what we have, so that we can continue to bring you nice facilities and programs to enjoy year-round. We look forward to improved operations at Coral Cove Water Park and a great 2023 season!
