O'Fallon Parks Board Looks At Doubling Alligator's Creek Capacity

O'Fallon is moving ahead on plans for improvements at Civic Park and the development of O'Day Park.

Cindy Springer, director of parks and recreation, updated the O'Fallon Parks Board at Tuesday night's board meting. 

Both projects will have a final presentation at the June 27 city council workshop.

"We still have a lot to do in the next two weeks," she said.

Demolition is complete for both the old Civic Hall and the residence at O'Day Park, and design work is moving forward for the new construction at Civic Park and the lodge at O'Day.

Springer said that discussions during a joint meeting with the city council suggested that improvements were needed to the aquatics facilities.

Alligator's Creek can't be doubled in size, Springer said, but they could look at doubling the capacity of the facility.

"We can't double the footprint," she said, "that would harm the integrity of the park. But we can double the capacity."

She said that they were looking at adding a four-foot deep swim area in the island that is currently surrounded by the lazy river, and expanding the lazy river.

"We could weave it around the trees," Springer said.

A two-story building planned to take the place of Civic Hall would offer a lower-level entrance for aquatics, and an upper-level entrance to the meeting rooms. 

"That way we don't mix the swimsuits with the wedding dresses," she said.

Springer said that the city is also looking into concerns about O'Day Park that have been expressed by neighboring property owners about a buffer zone.

The size of the O'Day lodge will probably increase in order for capacity to increase from 180 patrons to 250 patrons.

Springer said that her department is also looking into operational plans for both parks.