The surrounding fence offers onlookers an overview of Spring City, Tenn.'s winterized Splash Pad, which features three interactive bays for the whole family at the city's serene Veterans Park. City Manager Vicki Doster said that officials rescheduled "a huge grand opening" until May 2013. Photo by Kimberly McMillian

SPRING CITY, Tenn. - The anticipated grand opening of the splash pad water attraction at Veterans Park has been pushed back until temperatures warm up again.

"I've started planning a huge grand opening for early May," said City Manager Vicki Doster in an email statement.

Doster said she and Mayor Billy Ray Patton decided to delay the opening of the 40- by 80-foot splash pad because fall's cooler temperatures already have arrived. Officials had set a tentative completion date for July 14, but that was pushed back because of weather problems and construction delays.

The attraction - which includes fountains and water jets - is operational, officials say, but already has been winterized.

Doster said that the splash pad would provide a revenue source to the city, through families dining, fueling their vehicles and purchasing additional items while visiting the city.

In May, city officials approved the $322,435 bid by Rich Construction in Lenoir City, Tenn., to build the water feature, a cost that includes the fencing around the concreted platform, the splash pad and equipment, the concession stand and a building for the water pumps.

The splash pad, with its blue- and green-tinted concrete, features fountains designed by Vortex Aquatic Structures International, Doster said.

Lifetime Spring City resident Albert Smith said the splash pad not only offers fun for the young, but repairing the walking trail surrounding the park also benefits older residents. The deterioration of the asphalt has made it "difficult for older folks to walk on," he said.