by DAVID HAMILTON

NATCHEZ — City officials expect repairs of the North Natchez Park spraygrounds to be completed in the next few weeks.

Natchez Interim Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Wilbert Whittley said that the spraygrounds have not been functioning for the last two months after a lightning strike damaged its wiring.

“We had to order new wiring, and it had to be rewired and everything,” Whittley said.

The spraygrounds, built in 2000, are currently the only one of its kind in Natchez. Whittley said.

He said community members have inquired about when the spraygrounds would be fixed, expects the issue to be resolved soon.

“Everything should be up and running in the next couple weeks,” Whittley said.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell provided a reason why the repairs had been delayed until now. He said a clerical error occurred between the city and contractor Blankenstein’s Supplies and Equipment dating back to the prior administration.

“Bills from last year were not paid to the contractor who will be doing the repairs,” Grennell said.

Grennell confirmed from Deputy City Clerk Pamela Patterson that a check covering the outstanding bills was sent Tuesday to Blankenstein’s.