Officials here are making plans for a splash pad that could be added to the existing amenities at Sportsman’s Park for families to enjoy this summer.

Mayor Karl Arceneaux said the idea for the splash pad has been something that town officials and residents have discussed in the past, however, no official action was ever taken.

“We’ve got the equipment ordered and we have made a deposit on all the water features that will go on it,” he said.

He hopes to begin construction on the splash pad within a month or two with the splash pad open by the summer.

“This is something our kids will be able to do for recreation,” he said, noting that the splash pad will be open seven days a week. “It’ll be open free for all ages of kids. Some of it will be more just for toddlers and smaller kids, but it will have something for everyone.”

Hours for the splash pad’s operation will be determined later, but Arceneaux anticipates the splash pad could be open 10 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. during the summer.

The splash pad will be similar to the one located by the civic center in Lake Charles, but on a smaller scale, he said

“This is something that has been talked about in town for years now,” Arceneaux said. “We just finally had a chance to put some money aside on the budget this past year.”

The town plans to use money from the sale of the old dollar store and light plant to help fund the project. Welsh Police Chief Marcus Crochet also gave the town $50,000 from the police department’s funds to help fund the project.

During a meeting on Tuesday, the Welsh Board of Alderman agreed to open a checking account for the splash pad to include plumbing and any concrete work needed to install the splash pad.

Alderman Clint Hardy and Ronnie Hayes said they would like to see basketball and pickle ball courts added to the park in the future to provide for more recreation for local children, youth and adults.