Ottawa council approves purchase of Thornton Park splash pad

The planned splash pad for the Thornton Park renovation in Ottawa was purchased for $44,000 from Grand Rapids Enterprises after the City Council approved the item Tuesday.

Work on the project, $558,239 of which comes from an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant, resumed in September after setbacks with a contractor.

The project has a deadline of August 2022, and will include new playground equipment, refurbished tennis courts, two pickleball courts, a basketball court and rehabilitation work on the shelter. There also will be improvements to the plaza, a game table, a bags set and the existing dolphin and turtle structures will be moved to an art walk adjacent to the playground.

The Ottawa City Council approved the Historic Preservation Committee’s recommendations that CL Enterprises be allowed to renovate the front facades of buildings at 110 W. Jefferson St., The Times office, and 815-817 Columbus St., which will become apartments.