McPHERSON — Beginning with the 2023 season, the City of McPherson will be taking over all operations of the McPherson Water Park.
For 20 years, the operation of the facility was a joint effort between the City and the McPherson Recreation Commission. The City owns and maintains the property as well as pays its staff and a portion of the director’s salary. The Recreation Commission in the past paid the other portion and handled the hiring, certifications and daily operations.
The two came to a mutual decision the City would take over moving forward. Its operation will fall under the Public Lands & Facilities Department with support from Finance and Administration.
The City hopes to retain as much of the current staff as possible and is in the process of presenting usage fees for 2023 along with other administrative ideas to the McPherson City Commission.
“We are very appreciative of the commitment by the Rec Commission for the past 20 years,” said City Administrator Nick Gregory. “They have shown great faithful leadership in operating the pool for a long time.
“We look forward to continued partnerships between the City and the Recreation Commission now and into the future,” he added.
The goal, weather permitting, is to have the pool open by Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 27) as in previous years.
The City will begin the process of trying to retain and recruiting staff and establishing relevant policies at the beginning of 2023.