MONROE — The Green County Leaders continue to seek pledges for their splash pad project, a proposal that would bring the waterpark-like amenity to Twining Park. 

“We feel that we need something to really draw young people to our community and get people to stay in our community as well,” Lona Slack, a member of the splashpad group from last year’s Green County Leaders said. 

The proposal for the project was first heard by the Monroe Common Council at its Jan. 20 meeting. At that time, Green County Leaders aimed to raise half of the project’s capital costs for the project, which would be at least $150,000 of the $300,000 cost through pledges from businesses and community members.

Their proposal to the City of Monroe was to have the city pay for the other half and then also fund the annual maintenance and operational costs of the splash pad. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the state, the leaders temporarily paused its pledge drive, but started again in the beginning of August with a pledge campaign that is set to last through Aug. 31. In September, the city is set to discuss the budget and whether or not the cost can be met and if the project can move forward.

As of Aug. 21, $78,195 had been pledged toward the project.

When a pledge is made, no money is immediately donated. Instead, contact information is collected so that donors can be contacted once the project breaks ground. If the direction of the project changes due to fundraising falling short or the city not approving, pledges may be withdrawn.

The initial plan was for the splash pad to have a 2021 completion date, but COVID-19-related setbacks have pushed the construction of the pad to 2022, depending on the decisions of the city and the parks department. 

For now, the leaders are focused on spreading the word about the project and collecting pledges. 

Pledges are put into different recognition tiers based on amount pledged. The tiers range from “mist” at $100-$249 to “hurricane” at $50,000 or more. Those who donate more than within the $100 mist tier will be recognized on a permanent sign near the splash pad. 

“I think everybody really wants to see this happen, it’s just a matter of when and how,” Laura Hibbard said.

The Green County Leaders are a group of eight volunteers who examine all aspects of the government, communities and future needs of the county on a periodic basis. Classes of Leaders develop community improvement projects.