by DAVID HAMILTON

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The North Natchez Park splash pad officially reopened Tuesday after months of being shut down for repairs.

Officials had briefly reopened the facility Saturday, but another mechanical problem the shutdown until Tuesday.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell announced Saturday the park’s repairs had finally been completed. Grennell said Blankenstein’s Supplies and Equipment finished the repairs Friday.

But another mechanical problem took the water park out of commission again late Saturday, Blankenstein’s owner Don Blankenstein said.

Blankenstein discovered that the system’s magnetic motor starter — which controls power distribution to the splash pad — was overheating due to debris getting stuck in the system’s various valves.

The splash pad had been non-functional for the past three months after it was apparently struck by lightning. Natchez Interim Assistant Director Wilbert Whittley said last month the pad had to be completely rewired due to the lightning strike.

Though city officials have discussed the idea of building another splash pad elsewhere in the city, the pad at North Natchez Park is currently the only of its kind.

“The kids—they just love it,” Blankenstein said.

Blankenstein’s crew had the pad up and running Tuesday just after 2 p.m., with children finally able to enjoy whisking through the park’s waters.

The pad’s extensive shutdown, Grennell said, resulted from a clerical error that dates back to a prior administration. Grennell said the city had outstanding bills from last year due to Blankenstein’s. The city sent payment to cover those bills June 20, though Blankenstein said his company did not receive the check for another two weeks.

The splash pad is now open daily from noon to 8 p.m. Blankenstein said those hours would shift to 4 to 8 p.m. once schools are back in session.

The splash pad — built in 2000 — is free to the public. It contains numerous water jets, geysers and fountains and is ADA accessible.