PROGRESS: Sioux City continues pool, splash pad transitions

The city opened a new splash pad in Leeds Park in May and plans to have splash pads up and running at Cook Park and Cone Park by late spring. A planned splash pad in Rose Hill Park also could be completed as soon as next year. 

The new amenities come as the number of city pools has dwindled from five to three after the city shuttered Cook and Leeds pools in August 2016.

The 2016 pool closures were the first step in a move toward a quality-over-quantity approach to its aquatics operations. Long-term goals for the city include consolidating all pool services at two aquatic centers: the current Riverside location and a proposed regional aquatic center in Morningside envisioned east of IBP Ice Center, which would replace Lewis pool.

The city also plans to close Leif Erikson once its infrastructure fails, and replace it with a splash pad.

While overall pool attendance declined last year as a result of the pool closures, the three remaining pools individually posted higher attendance numbers. Parks staff say they believe the total number of people being served by the city's water amenities is increasing due to the combination of pools and splash pads. 

Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore said while the city doesn't conduct head counts at splash pads, the number of people using the pad in Leeds was visibly greater than the number who used the pool. 

Parks staff credited a hot June and July for strong numbers last year. According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, Sioux City saw 13 days of 90-plus degree weather in June and 16 such days in July. The average highs in June and July registered at 5 and 4 degrees above normal, respectively.

The new splash pad in Leeds has replaced the public pool. The city decided last year to do the same by installing a splash pad at the former Cook Pool site after an attempt to keep the pool open under private ownership fell through. The city is also adding courts for basketball and futsal (a soccer-like game).

In addition to the new splash pad in Leeds, the city accepted an offer by Sunnybrook Community Church to construct a basketball court in Carlin Park, near the former site of Leeds Pool, at no charge.

The parks department anticipates adding more amenities to the park, including playground equipment and a shelter, as funding allows.

The city's splash pads are expected to open around Memorial Day of this year. Hours are typically 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.