Farmington water park projected to open in June 2019

• The new facility will be called the Brookside Bay Water Park.
• The water park will feature a lazy river, two water slides, shade pavilions, play structures and three lap lanes,
• The city hopes the water park will be self-sustainable or possibly make some money to subsidize other aquatic facilities.

FARMINGTON — Farmington officials hope to have the city's new Brookside Bay Water Park open in June 2019. A groundbreaking ceremony takes place at noon on Thursday. 

The water park will replace Brookside Pool, which was closed in 2016 due to safety and health concerns.

“It is exciting to add another quality-of-life experience to our community for all ages,” Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs director Cory Styron stated in a press release. “Brookside Bay Water Park will be a great addition to the recreational offerings for our citizens and those visiting the area."

The design concepts were developed during community input meetings over the past two years.

The city hopes the water park will be self-sustainable, or possibly even make some money to subsidize other aquatic facilities.

The park's various features will be designed based on the natural landscape of the Four Corners region.

“This is another great project that supports our efforts to improve tourism and the outdoor recreation industry in our region,” Farmington Convention & Visitors Bureau director Tonya Stinson stated in the press release. “Brookside Bay Water Park is yet another fantastic example of Farmington delivering on our brand promise that it is a place where active families and outdoor lovers thrive. This project adds to our tourism inventory and also allows the area to celebrate our dramatic landscapes in a unique way to draw visitors.”

The park is located on North Dustin Avenue south of the intersection with 20th Street.

The city contracted with Jaynes Corporation to build the water park. It will feature a lazy river, two water slides, shade pavilions, play structures and three lap lanes that will double as water basketball and volleyball courts.

The zero-depth entry will make the water park easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities. A zero-depth entry means a gradual slope leading into the water rather than steps.

Farmington is financing the multimillion-dollar project through refinanced bonds that the City Council approved last year. About $6 million of the refinanced bonds were allocated to be used on the water park.

The bonds are also being used to pay for the downtown Complete Streets project, expansion of the river trails system and replacing part of the aquatic center roof.