SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council discussed a request to help build a splash pad Tuesday.

Kimberley Ecker of Sleepy Eye said she is gathering information and looking for people interested in joining a committee to help with a project.

“To me, the biggest part of this would be fundraising. We’re not looking for answers tonight, just bring it to your attention. Basically, they’re like a big sprinkler with more features that spray and dump water on people on a concrete pad. All water goes to the storm sewer,” said Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston.

Sleepy Eye Public Works Director Mike Hardin estimated the cost to operate a splash pad at $20,000 to $25,000 a year.

Elston and Sleepy Eye Mayor Joann Schmidt said Kiefer Park, near tennis courts and a ballpark on the north side of town may be a place to install a splash pad.

Ecker said most area splash pads were built from fundraising and grants and maintained by cities where they are located.

Ecker presented a handout on splash pads in St. James, Atwater and New Ulm. New Ulm’s splash pad that cost $115,000 for equipment and $25,000 for city utility work, opened six years ago. The splash pad is open 10 a.mn. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It operates with a timer and is turned on by a floor button. Annual water use is two million gallons.

“There are some good grants out there which we hope to tap into. We may ask a non-profit/tax exempt organization like the Lions or someone like it so we don’t have to make another one (non-profit organization),” she said.