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SALT LAKE CITY — Contractors are beginning work this week to remove one of the final — and most tricky — parts in the ongoing demolition of the old Raging Waters waterpark in the Glendale neighborhood.
The park's old pools were made of thick concrete that runs deep into the ground. In fact, Salt Lake City Department of Parks and Public Lands had announced last week that contractors would need to blast in the area beginning Wednesday because of how thick the concrete is.
However, that idea was scrapped following neighborhood feedback over the past few days, which expressed concern over the noise and shaking blasting would cause. Construction crews are instead using backhoes and jackhammers to complete the difficult concrete removal.
Raging Waters, also previously known as Seven Peaks Salt Lake, closed in 2018. It quickly became an eyesore and an area of increased crime in the city, which led to the decision to tear it down. The city began demolition it in October; as of Wednesday, there are still a few slides remaining but most have been dismantled at the demolition site.
Months before the demolition took place, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall proposed turning the 17-acre plot of land near 1700 South and 1200 West into a regional park, similar to Liberty or Sugar House parks in the east part of the city.
That vision is still the expected future of the area.
Nancy Monteith, the senior landscape architect for Salt Lake City's Engineering Division, told KSL-TV Wednesday that she hopes the city will have two or three concept plans to share with residents in a few weeks. The plot of land is already located next to the Glendale Golf Course and the Jordan River Parkway Trail. There's a smaller neighborhood park just north of it that the popular trail runs through.
The city has already directed $3.2 million toward the initial development of the site, using impact fees, Monteith added. The fees are one-time payments from developers for every new building in the city that can only be used for certain sources, like parks.
"We're really excited about this project," she said. "When you look at all of those spaces aggregated, they really are like a regional attraction."
The final plan will likely require more money, which is why Mendenhall requested $10 million for the project last year. The mayor explained at the time that the way the city received federal funding on the park in the past required it to remain a park "in perpetuity," meaning the land cannot be developed for housing or business space.
As for the current phase of demolition, residents who have concerns or questions about the blasting are encouraged to call 385-495-5323.
Contributing: Jed Boal
